Standards and Guidelines COVID- 19 FAQ Information for Patients Vaccine Information
April 22, 2022
The Ontario Government announced today that all current masking requirements and directives related to health care settings will remain in place until 12:00 am on June 11, 2022. These requirements were set to expire on April 27, 2022, but have been extended by the Cheif Medical Officer in order to effectively manage the sixth wave of COVID-19. This means that all health care settings, including opticial dispensaries, must continue to adhere to the following requirements:
Click here to read the full update.
March 16, 2022
As the province moves towards relaxing the masking mandate in most settings on March 21st, we would like to provide our registrants with further clarification. Under the updated regulation, among other settings, clinics that provide health care services will still be required to adhere to masking guidelines and as such, existing guidance from the College regarding masking remains in effect until at least April 27th when the province indicates that masking measures may further be relaxed.
Click here to read the full update.
March 11, 2022
As you have likely heard, the provincial government has announced that it is relaxing restrictions and mandates related to the pandemic. March 21st marks the relaxing of masking requirements in many settings. However, there are certain settings that are exempt from this new guidance and must continue to follow masking requirements, including healthcare settings.
Click here to read the full update.
March 2, 2022
As the Ontario Government eases capacity restrictions in retails settings, we remind you that as health care providers, you are still required to follow guidance found in the Ministry of Health Operational Requirements Document that requires that you:
Ensure that there is sufficient space to follow physical distancing guidelines of maintaining at least 2 metres from other people.
All other public health measures remain in place until further notice.
Click here to read the full update.
February 15, 2022
The Ontario Government has announced that effective Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 12:01a.m., retail stores, including optical dispensaries, will no longer be subject to a 50% capacity limit. Instead, the following rule will apply to retail stores:
• Capacity must be limited to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.
Click here to read the full update.
January 4, 2022
The Ontario government has announced that the province will be moving to a modified Step 2 of the Ontario Reopening Roadmap effective Wednesday January 5, 2022, at 12:01 am. Under Step 2, stores are permitted to operate without appointments and without restrictions on hours however dispensary operators must ensure:
• That members of the public are able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the business or facility; and
• The total number of members of the public in the business or facility at any one time does not exceed 50 per cent capacity
Click here to read the full update.
December 22, 2021
To further ramp up capacity to support Ontario’s booster dose rollout, the Ontario government is making regulatory amendments to allow more individuals to safely administer the COVID-19 vaccine, including, among others, Registered Opticians.
Click here to read the full update.
December 20, 2021
We are writing to provide an update on the new public health measures that were recently announced by the Ontario Government.
50% Capacity Limit in Effect Province-Wide
Effective Sunday, December 19, 2021, all businesses in Ontario that engage in retail sales to the public, including optical dispensaries, are now subject to a 50% capacity limit. The person responsible for the business must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is required to operate.
Enhanced PPE Requirements for Patients who Screen Positive for COVID-19
Effective December 22, 2021, all health care workers who interact with or provide direct care to an individual with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 must use the following personal protective equipment:
• A fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator (or approved equivalent)
• Eye protection (goggles or face shield)
• Gown
• Gloves
For more information, see updates to Directive #1 issued by the Chief Medical Officer.
December 17, 2021
This afternoon, the Ontario Government announced new public health measures that will come into effect at 12:01 am on Sunday, December 19, 2021. These measures include a requirement for retail establishments to limit indoor capacity to 50%.
The College is in the process of confirming how these measures apply to optical dispensaries. In the meantime, and in light of the highly transmissible nature of the Omicron variant, we encourage all opticians to remain vigilant in the safety and infection control protocols that are being followed in the dispensary setting, and to consider any adjustments or enhancements that may be necessary to address the increase risks posed by the variant. Please refer to the Standards of Practice and Return to Practice Guidelines for more information.
August 27, 2021
The Ontario Ministry of Health has released an updated Patient Screening Questionnaire for use in healthcare settings. The questionnaire has been updated to reflect screening for fully immunized individuals, and an updated symptoms list. The questionnaire is also available from the Ministry of Health website here.
Click here to read the full updated.
August 18, 2021
On August 17, 2021, the Chief Medical Officer issued Directive #6 mandating hospitals, ambulance and home and community care service providers to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees, staff, contractors, students and volunteers. The policy must be in place by no later than September 7, 2021, and requires the identified individuals to provide proof of vaccination or evidence that they meet specific exemptions.
Click here to read the full update.
July 15, 2021
The Provincial government has announced that Step 3 of the Ontario Reopening Roadmap will begin this Friday, July 16, 2021, at 12:01 am.
How does this impact opticians?
Under Step 3, stores are no longer subject to a 50% capacity limit. Instead, they must limit capacity to permit at least 2 meters of physical distance and can continue to operate without appointments and without restrictions on hours. As the province permits more businesses to open and services to resume, however, this is a reminder that as healthcare professionals, opticians must continue to adhere to a number of important public health guidelines.
Click here to read the full update.
June 24, 2021
The Provincial government has announced that Step 2 of the Ontario Reopening Roadmap will begin this Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 12:01 am.
How does this impact opticians?
Under Step 2, stores are permitted to operate without appointments and without restrictions on hours, but must maintain a 50% capacity limit at all times. More information on implementing physical distancing measures in the dispensary can be found in the Return to Practice Guidelines.
Click here to read the full update.
June 9, 2021
The Provincial government has announced that Step 1 of the Ontario Reopening Roadmap will begin this Friday, June 11, 2021, at 12:01 am.
How does this impact opticians?
Appointments will no longer be required and restrictions on operating hours will be lifted. A capacity limit of 25% still remains in effect as well as the requirement to adhere to the Return to Practice Guidelines that were recently updated.
Click here to read the full update.
May 28, 2021
The College has updated the return to Practice Guidelines. Click here to read the updated document.
April 16, 2021
Today the Ontario Government announced that the current Stay at Home Order that went into force on April 8, 2021, is being extended for a further two weeks, until at least May 20, 2021.
Click here to read the entire update.
April 7, 2021
The Ontario Government has again declared a provincial state of emergency. Effective Thursday April 8, 2021 at 12:01 am, certain businesses and service providers in Ontario will be subject to additional public health restrictions.
In person opticianry services may continue by appointment only between 7am and 8pm, at 25% capacity
We confirm that as regulated health professionals, opticians may continue to offer in-person services to the public with the following conditions for optical stores:
Dispensaries may continue to offer curbside pickup between 7am and 8pm and may offer delivery.
Click here to read the entire update.
April 1, 2021
The Ontario Government announced today that effective Saturday April 3, 2021, a provincewide emergency brake will be in effect that returns all regions of the province to the “Shutdown Zone”.
The rules for the Shutdown Zone permit regulated health professionals, including opticians, to continue offering services to the public. All retail businesses must, however, limit their capacity to 25% and post a sign in a visible location stating their maximum capacity. No restrictions on hours or requirements to operate on an appointment-only basis have been announced at this time. The College is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates should any new information become available.
Click here to read the entire update.
March 12, 2021
Health care workers, including opticians and dispensary staff, are being prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination programs are being administered by local public health units based on guidelines set by the Ministry of Health. Under these guidelines, opticians have been categorized as “High Priority”. Please be assured that we have communicated to the Ministry how close in proximity opticians work with their patients.
Click here to read the entire update.
March 8, 2021
As you are aware from our bulletin on Friday, March 5, a number of regions have now moved out of Emergency Shutdown measures and into the strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework effective today.
Please note the following correction to Friday’s bulletin. Effective March 8, 2021, optical stores in the Grey: Lockdown zone are no longer required to operate on an appointment-only basis, and are not subject to restrictions on operating hours. Click here to see a chart that outlines which rules apply to each zone.
Click here to read the entire update.
March 5, 2021
Return to COVID-19 Response Framework
The Ontario Government announced today that Toronto, Peel and North Bay-Parry Sound Public Health Regions will no longer be subject to the Emergency Shutdown, and will be returning to the strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework effective Monday March 8, 2021. Toronto and Peel will be returning to the Grey-Lockdown level, and North Bay Parry Sound will be returning to the Red-Control level.
A summary of the rules for each zone under the COVID-19 Response Framework can be found here.
Click here to read the entire update.
March 3, 2021
The College has received several inquiries regarding opticians receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination programs are being administered by local Public Health Units rather than being managed at the provincial level. While the Ministry of Health has classified health care workers such as opticians as 'High Priority', the roll-out of the vaccines is taking place regionally based on Ministry guidelines and each Public Health Unit has put in place screening methods to prioritize vaccine distribution.
Click here to read the entire update.
February 12, 2021
On February 12, 2021, the Ontario Government has announced that effective February 16, 2021, more regions of the province will be transitioning out of the shutdown and into a revised and strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework.
The following regions remain subject to shutdown measures or have been designated as Grey-Lockdown and must continue to operate on an appointment-only basis and restrict hours to between 7am and 8pm:
• North Bay Parry Sound District
• Peel Public Health
• Toronto Public Health
• York Region Public Health
• Niagara Region Public Health
Click here to read the entire update.
February 9, 2021
On February 8, 2021 the Ontario Government announced that COVID-19 restrictions will gradually be relaxed over the coming days and weeks.
Effective February 10, 2021, the following regions will be moving back to the COVID-19 Response Framework system at the Green-Prevent level:
Click here to read the entire update.
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.
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