© 2021 College of Opticians of Ontario
The College of Opticians of Ontario, 90 Adelaide Street W., Suite 300, Toronto, ON M5H 3V9
Standards of Practice COVID-19 FAQ Return to Work Guidelines
January 12, 2021
The Ontario Government has again declared a provincial state of emergency. Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021, certain businesses and service providers in Ontario will be subject to additional public health restrictions. These measures will remain in place until at least February 11, 2021.
Click here to read the entire update.
Click on the link to see our updated our Frequently Asked Questions document.
December 22, 2020
The College has received additional information relating to the Province-wide shutdown announced by the Ontario Government yesterday, which will come into effect at 12:01 am on December 26, 2020.
In person opticianry services may continue by appointment only
We confirm that as regulated health professionals, opticians may continue to offer services to the public during the shutdown. However, in an effort to curb foot traffic and regulate the flow of persons in public and commercial spaces, the government has directed that optical stores operate on an appointment-only basis for all in person services.
Click here to read the entire update.
December 21, 2020
Today the Ontario Government announced that a province-wide shutdown will come into effect as of December 26, 2020 in an attempt to control the spread of COVID-19. All non-essential businesses have been ordered to close for 28 days in Southern Ontario, and 14 days in Northern Ontario.
Based on the information available at this time, the shutdown does not currently apply to regulated health professionals, and therefore health services may remain open. Nevertheless, the College reminds all opticians that this is not business as usual. While health services have thus far been excluded from the lockdown order, today's announcement demonstrates that the situation in many parts of the province has reached alarming levels. Opticians should only provide services where they can do so safely and in accordance with Standard 4 on Safety and Infection Control, as well as the Return to Practice Guidelines.
Click here to read the entire update.
November 23, 2020
As you are aware from our bulletin on Friday, the Ontario Government has implemented lockdown measures for Toronto and Peel effective today and for the next 28 days.
The College has now received confirmation from the Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre that health services may remain open in these zones during the lockdown period. As previously communicated, opticians should continue to adhere to the Return to Practice Guidelines, including taking steps to ensure health and safety in the practice environment.
The College continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as additional information becomes available to us.
Click here to read the complete update. We have also updated our Frequently Asked Questions.
November 20, 2020
Today the Ontario Government announced that it is moving Toronto and Peel into lockdown measures in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. These measures include limiting most retail to curbside pickup and delivery in affected areas.
Click here to read the complete update.
September 24, 2020
Many of you have safely and successfully returned to practice since the easing of provincial restrictions. Thank you for your diligence in keeping apprised of bulletins from the College and following best practices as laid out in the Return to Practice Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions document. The Return to Practice Guidelines are now also available in French.
Click here to read the complete update.
July 10, 2020
Many of you have started to settle back into practice and have been reaching out to us for practice advice, especially around the use of face masks. Updates have been made to the Return to Practice Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document to reflect clarifications received from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer regarding the use of masks by health care professionals, patients and visitors.
Click here to read the complete update.
June 29, 2020
The College has updated the Return to Practice Guidelines, specifically with regards to new contact lens fits. The College continues to recommend using professional judgement when deciding if it is in the patient’s interest to proceed with a new contact lens fitting, to use the appropriate PPE and to minimize close contact where ever possible. Please feel free to reach out to practiceadvice@collegeofopticians.ca for any questions or clarifications. Click here to read the complete update.
June 26, 2020
The College has received several questions from registrants regarding the performance of initial contact lens fittings. To address these inquiries the College has sent out an update, click here to read it.
June 18, 2020
Updates to the Return to Practice Guidelines
The College has updated its Return to Practice Guidelines to reflect the following updated documents issued by the Ministry of Health:
• COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart
• Patient Screening Guidance Documents
Click here to read the entire update.
May 26, 2020
Today the Chief Medical Officer of Health has revoked Directive #2 (issued March 19, 2020), which limited health care professionals to essential or emergency services.
In its place, an amended Directive #2 has been issued, which allows for a gradual restart of health care services in accordance with the College’s Return to Practice Guidelines and the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Restart Requirements.
Click here to read the entire update.
June 4, 2020– 11:00 am
The College of Opticians has prepared a document to address questions from Registrants and the public. Click here to see the document. As always we are available by phone and email if you need to contact us.
Please visit our directory for further information.
May 26, 2020
The College has created a Webinar to share information about the Return to Practice Guidelines and to answer registrant questions. Please keep in mind that the Guidelines are updated regularly so please check back for updates.
View Webinar Recording Presentation PDF
May 25, 2020 – 3:00pm
Please click here for a number of important updates. As always, as a health care professional, you are required to keep yourself informed and up to date. Remember, the time spent reading updates and completing surveys can be counted towards your self-directed continuing education requirements. Please help us better understand your thoughts by completing the two surveys enclosed.
May 15, 2020 – 5:00pm
Yesterday the Ontario Government announced a list of additional businesses that are permitted to reopen as of Tuesday May 19, 2020. The list includes retail services that are not in shopping malls and that have separate street-front entrances with measures in place that can enable physical distancing.
While this announcement indicates that Ontario is moving forward with its plan to reopen the province, opticians are still subject to Directive #2 which limits health professionals to essential or emergency services until further notice. Non-essential opticianry services cannot be resumed until this directive is amended or rescinded by the provincial authorities.
Click here to read the entire update.
May 13, 2020 – 6:00pm
The College has developed Return to Practice Guidelines to assist Opticians as they transition back to practice once governmental restrictions are lifted.
Click here to read the entire update.
May 11, 2020 – 5:00pm
In anticipation of the government’s relaxing of social distancing measures the College is developing Return to Practice Guidelines to assist you prepare for the return to practice. On Friday May 15th at 10:00 am we invite registrants to attend the webinar to learn more about the Guidelines and pose any questions you may have. Click here to register for the webinar.
Click here to read the entire update.
April 29, 2020 – 3:00pm
The Clinical Practice Committee has developed a COVID19 specific set of guidelines in the areas of dispensing and infection control to assist you during this period. Click here to see the guidelines.
April 22, 2020 – 2:00pm
Many patients have reached out to us with questions about how to access urgent care during this pandemic. To address this concern, the College has created a directory of opticians who are currently providing urgent or essential care.
If you are a patient click here to see the list.
If you are registered optician and would like to be added to this list, please log into the Member Portal and follow the instructions.
Click here to read the entire update.
April 9, 2020 – 3:00pm
As you are aware, the Minister of Health has directed that health care providers restrict their practice to only essential services. Some optical dispensaries have remained open to provide essential services such as critical repairs and replacements of eyeglasses as well as refilling contact lenses.
Creation of a Directory of Opticians Available for Urgent and Essential Services
Click here to read the entire update.
March 31, 2020 – 4:30pm
Many of you have reached out to the College seeking guidance and clarity as the COVID-19 issue unfolds. The College continues to monitor the situation including participating in daily Ministry of Health update meetings as well as communications with other health regulatory partners, the Association and optical dispensary operators.
We remind you that we are still currently under the Minister's directive to provide only essential care and we encourage you to use the updated Standards of Practice to provide essential care remotely where possible. Click here to read the entire update.
March 26, 2020
The College of Opticians has created a document which summarizes information shared with registrants regarding the practice of opticianry during the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of recent government directives concerning the delivery of health care services.
Click here to read the bulletin.
March 24, 2020
We are writing to provide you with additional information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and how it impacts you as a regulated health professional.
Please click here for details.
March 20, 2020
We have heard from a number of you this week with concerns for your personal safety and the safety of your patients. We are writing to provide you with an important update on the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus.
Ministry of Health Directive
This morning, the Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a directive that requires all health care providers in Ontario to immediately cease all non-essential and elective services, or reduce them to minimal levels, until further notice. ...
Click here to read the COO Communication.
Click here to read the CMOH letter.
March 23, 2020
We have heard many concerns from Registrants this week and in order to address these the Quality Assurance Committee met and made some important decisions.
Click here for the details of the decisions.
March 19, 2020
As front-line health care professionals who work in close proximity to patients, it's important that Opticians take reasonable and appropriate measures to minimize the risk of infections like COVID-19 in the practice environment to protect your patients, your staff and yourself.
Click here to view or download the update.
March 19, 2020
The Ministry of Health has issued a letter regarding worker illness and returning to work.
Please click here to read the letter.
March 19, 2020
If your dispensary has decided to cease operations temporarily, click here for some suggested content to create a sign for your dispensary.
March 17, 2020
As front-line health care professionals who work in close proximity to patients, it’s important that Opticians take reasonable and appropriate measures to minimize the risk of infections like COVID-19 in the practice environment to protect your patients, your staff and yourself.
Click here to view or download the update.
March 16, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of community spread, the College of Opticians of Ontario will be temporarily operating a virtual office as of March 17, 2020, until further notice. This decision was made to minimize College staff exposure to COVID-19 to both protect our team and reduce possible associated service disruptions to patients and registrants.
The College has systems in place to ensure that staff are fully equipped to provide services to the public and registrants while working remotely. The College expects to operate with few disruptions, none of which will affect the College's public protection mandate. The identified disruptions are as follows:
Mar 5, 2020 - 12:00pm
The College of Opticians is monitoring the situation regarding the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ontario. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health advises that the risk remains low, however, the College has put together some information to assist opticians in their practice. These guidelines can be read in conjunction with the College's existing Standards of Practice.
Please click here to view the full article.
© 2021 College of Opticians of Ontario
The College of Opticians of Ontario, 90 Adelaide Street W., Suite 300, Toronto, ON M5H 3V9