'FREEDOM DAY’: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

July 19th is the much advertised ‘Freedom Day’ in England. Understandably, a few of my patients have expressed concern about how this might affect Covid-19 protocols in the treatment room.

As yet I have had no formal guidance from the Government on what measures therapists will be required to take regarding PPE, sanitising etc. Just this morning I received an email from my governing body, the BAcC (British Acupuncture Council), just to let me know that they too have heard nothing. So, as things stand I am clearly going to have to set my own policy as we move forward – and here it is!

As from July 19th I shall continue to wear PPE and observe Covid-related protocols just as I have been doing throughout the pandemic. This will not change for the foreseeable future, even if the government announces a relaxation of these measures and declassifies them as a legal requirement. (This is quite likely, I think).

Inevitably the time will eventually come when none of these measures will be necessary, but with infection and even death rates on the rise I would hazard a guess that a genuine ‘freedom day’ might yet be a long way off. Until then – safety first! I have also already begun a programme of regular lateral flow testing, and will of course self-isolate and inform my patients should I ever test positive. So far I seem to have escaped the dreaded bug entirely, which suggests the measures really do work - but there’s still no room for complacency.

I hope this little announcement helps to clarify my position and set people’s minds at ease.

Stay safe, everybody!