The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has informed its members that they can continue operating under lockdown2 as ‘essential’ businesses.
It has issued updated guidance following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a second national lockdown on Saturday, saying that practices can remain open but must continue to work in covid-safe ways and that members of the team should work from home where possible.
It also said that Veterinary professionals should ‘exercise clinical judgement to assess and triage essential animal health and welfare needs in the context of the lockdown’ and asked members to be mindful of working across national borders, where regulations may differ.
In Scotland, the Scottish Government has confirmed that veterinary practices are considered essential businesses and will be able to remain open and not have to restrict services, as long as the practice complies will all covid-safety requirements.
BVA President James Russell said: “We are very pleased that governments across the UK continue to recognise the importance of access to veterinary services during these local and national lockdowns – for animal health and welfare, public health, and keeping the food supply going.
“However, as veterinary professionals, we all have an incredibly important role to play in tackling the spread of the virus so we must continue to work as safely as possible to protect ourselves and our clients.
“The latest guidance from the BVA focuses on the clinical and professional judgement of our colleagues to assess whether and how clients can be seen safely, as well as considering whether they need to be seen in person. Over the last seven months the veterinary teams have worked incredibly hard to put safe working measures in place, including the use of remote consultations, so we are in a very strong position to get through the new lockdown measures.”
