Firstly we would like to send our very best to you and you loved ones at this time.

A new lockdown came into force in England on 6th January, which sadly comes with separate implications for us all.

This means close contact services are required to close.

Here is some important information that practitioners may find useful.

Close contact services include beauty and makeup, spas and wellness businesses, sports and massage therapy, well-being and holistic locations.

Those who provide close contact services from a mobile setting including their own home, in other people’s homes and in retail environments (such as a concession in a larger, separate business) must also stop operating.

All of Wales is currently also in lockdown (alert level 4), meaning close contact services here must also not operate. However, this does not include treatments or services providing medical treatments for illness or injury, and therapists who are working alongside or in conjunction with a statutory regulated health professional.

Mainland Scotland is also in a temporary lockdown with new guidance to stay at home except for essential purposes. Premises which provide a close contact service and mobile close contact services must close except where they are ancillary to medical, health, or social care services.

Additional restrictions are in place in Northern Ireland, requiring people to stay at home. Close contact services are not permitted to operate, with exceptions including sport massage therapy and services ancillary to medical, health and social care services.

Healthcare and medical services are able to continue and it is our understanding this includes podiatry and chiropody.

Unfortunately it is not entirely clear whether practitioners of Foot Care would also be exempt from restrictions, so we would strongly advise our graduates to contact their insurers to check if they are able to practise under the current restrictions and if so, ensure they are covered to do so.

Any practitioners who are exempt from restrictions and able to practise must follow all safety precautions including PPE where applicable and strictly adhere to all other relevant guidelines in place to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

As the COVID-19 virus is primarily spread through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, it is vitally important all precautions are taken when carrying out any essential close contact services.

You can stay up to date with the latest information at:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus (England)

https://gov.wales/coronavirus (Wales)

https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ (Scotland)

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19 (Northern Ireland)