PATIENTS in COVID-19 outbreak zones are being urged to think twice before stepping into their local community pharmacy, to avoid potentially exposing staff to the pandemic virus.
Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA) issued a nationwide plea to people who suspect they may have been exposed to the virus to stay away from pharmacies, after several stores have been identified as potential exposure sites during the ongoing outbreaks in NSW and Victoria.
PPA President, Geoff March, urged patients in hotspots to ensure they are not spreading the virus to pharmacy workers or vulnerable members of the community.
"Pharmacies play an absolutely critical role in supporting community health and it's vital that the health of the pharmacy workforce is not compromised so that these important services can continue to be delivered," he said.
"Additionally, pharmacies are often attended by people who are more vulnerable due to their health issues, so it is particularly important that they are not exposed to the COVID virus.
"We urge every member of the public to think carefully before you enter a pharmacy. Ask yourself if you have even the slightest symptoms and whether you think you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.
"If you think the answer might be yes, do not enter a pharmacy and put others at risk. Instead, head to a testing facility to receive a COVID-19 test.
"In NSW and Victoria, always wear a mask, use the appropriate QR code to check-in and comply with all public health orders when entering pharmacy premises.
"If a customer has respiratory symptoms and is unsure what to do, seek advice by calling the pharmacy instead of visiting."
With increasing numbers of community pharmacies joining the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, March said the PPA would redouble its efforts to protect employee pharmacists.
"The vaccine rollout is now being extended to community pharmacies and that's welcome news, but it does mean an increase in the number of customers visiting their local pharmacy so it's absolutely critical that we get this right.
"To ensure pharmacies can continue to safely administer the vaccine to Australians, we urge customers to think carefully before visiting their local pharmacy, to protect pharmacists and vulnerable members of the community."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 20 Jul 21
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