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Original poster

Are Specsavers still being ott with covid restrictions?

64 replies

Justmuddlingalong · 13/02/2023 20:50

Has anyone been for an eye test at Specsavers recently? Are the (highly irritating, useless and a general pain in the arse) face masks and putting frames you've tried on in a tray shenanigans still ongoing?
TIA.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 13/02/2023 21:54

SavetheNHS · 13/02/2023 21:32

It is a bit silly. Covid, flu and colds are spread via the air. Masks will help reduce transmission. However, I really don't think putting glasses in a tray will make the slightest bit of difference! It's ridiculous to keep persevering with the trays

Completely pointless (and I’m an optician!)

I only put a mask on these days if a patent comes in wearing one, or for very close contact stuff.

rockingbird · 13/02/2023 21:56

USaYwHatNow · 13/02/2023 21:03

Ours make you wear a mask, stand outside and wait to be called in, gel your hands and then stand at a distance.

Same armour local one.. irritating and have put me off completely

JanusTheFirst · 13/02/2023 22:09

Caring enough for the vulnerable to ask that masks be warn.

People like me would feel unable to have sight checks if there were no precautions.

It protects the staff as well.

The I'm all right Jack attitude of the arrogantly healthy is quite depressing.

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General health
Original poster
Justmuddlingalong · 13/02/2023 22:18

The sight checks are done in private rooms at my branch. Is yours done in a communal area?

OP posts:
MissWings · 13/02/2023 22:21

Don’t know love, boycotted it for this very reason. Honestly, it was fucking pathetic. Forcing old ladies to stand out in the cold in winter whilst they walked round pretending to be ICU doctors.

IloveRickyGervaisAndHisTeeth · 13/02/2023 22:22

USaYwHatNow · 13/02/2023 21:03

Ours make you wear a mask, stand outside and wait to be called in, gel your hands and then stand at a distance.

The same crap where I live, too, so I went to a different optician and it was all normal service there. Stuff SpecSavers now

leeds2glasgow · 13/02/2023 22:25

LlynTegid · 13/02/2023 21:20

Other opticians are available if you think Specsavers policies are not for you. I avoid them for reasons which would be outing.

Dying to know why you'd think it'd be outing?

Mombingo · 13/02/2023 22:28

Oh god glad it's not me who's noticed the Specsavers covid insanity!

What about the absolute madness of 'clean seat dirty seat' musical chairs using a special traffic light ticket system!!! It was rather hilarious watching the staff tying themselves in knots trying to police that particular gem Hmm

nocoolnamesleft · 13/02/2023 22:30

Nice to see someone (specsavers) are still taking appropriate precautions. Between Covid, Flu, RSV, and flu A, really don't want unmasked people coughing all over the place.

nocoolnamesleft · 13/02/2023 22:31

Sorry, that shoud read Strep A.

Renoir56 · 13/02/2023 22:31

I went to mine 3 months ago. All back to normal. No masks. I just picked glasses off the racks, tried them on and put them back. I'm in a busy London suburb.

MithrilCostsMore · 13/02/2023 22:32

Back to normal thank fuck. Was seriously annoying before! Went on Friday.

catsonahottinroof · 13/02/2023 22:34

Ours have stopped the mask wearing but only very recently. We don't go there anymore, I just have a nosy when I'm passing. You no longer have to queue outside but you can't just walk in and browse the frames, you have to wait at a check point and state your business. We changed to Vision Express partly because of this and also because they were always running at least half an hour late with appointments (even if first thing) but never gave any apology or explanation for it.

BlackFriday · 13/02/2023 22:37

I went this afternoon, as it happens. Yes to masks (although not all customers complied) and yes to the ridiculous trays for "used" frames. If they want the faff of cleaning them then fine but it actually deterred me from trying them on - not sure I ended up with the best pair that suited me, to be honest.
Annoying.

ILiveInTornadoAlley · 13/02/2023 22:42

I had no idea anyone/anywhere was still doing this.Everywhere here has been back to normal for a very long time I can't imagine still living that way.There are no spikes in covid,flu rate is normal and schools have been open full time.

Original poster
Justmuddlingalong · 13/02/2023 22:42

It's DP who has the appointment in the morning. He's already had 4 emails, 2 texts and a phone call to remind him of the appointment, which he made, and to encourage him to fill in the online questionnaire. He's to arrive 10 minutes before his appointment and wait outside until invited in.
He's wishing he'd book the test elsewhere tbh.
Sounds like it's hit or miss as to the restrictions.
I take it they must be franchises if there's no set rules. 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Renoir56 · 13/02/2023 22:47

Justmuddlingalong · 13/02/2023 22:42

It's DP who has the appointment in the morning. He's already had 4 emails, 2 texts and a phone call to remind him of the appointment, which he made, and to encourage him to fill in the online questionnaire. He's to arrive 10 minutes before his appointment and wait outside until invited in.
He's wishing he'd book the test elsewhere tbh.
Sounds like it's hit or miss as to the restrictions.
I take it they must be franchises if there's no set rules. 🤷‍♀️

Where are you? I can't believe this is happening. My local Specsavers has been back to normal for months. I don't know of anywhere with any covid restrictions any more.

Original poster
Justmuddlingalong · 13/02/2023 22:48

Fife

OP posts:
DigitalGoat · 13/02/2023 22:50

I don't go to Specsavers since covid. Our local branch still had a barrier over the door months after everyone else had dropped restrictions. I guess they want to appeal to people who still, probably for very good reasons, fear covid. May be a good strategy for them, but I'd rather avoid all the theatre and go elsewhere.

Original poster
Justmuddlingalong · 13/02/2023 22:55

The latest Scottish government covid update last month still recommends face masks be worn in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Most folk don't, (apart from our Specsavers) but that's what we're up against here.

OP posts:
Seasider2017 · 13/02/2023 22:55

The one near me in the centre is pathetic
there's a desk at the door way with some one manning it. You can not just go in and pick glasses up

Phenolet · 13/02/2023 23:01

My local one ask customers to wear a mask which is fair enough. Hardly a big deal now. It is optional though.

They didn't have a tray or anything for glasses, that was back to normal. Staff are lovely and friendly and I like their frames. A staff member helped me pick out glasses that suited me (I would pull my mask down to glance at the mirror while trying them on).

HyacinthineMacaw · 13/02/2023 23:03

You have to have your face a few inches from the people doing all the tests, so I find it reassuring to know that we are both masked in that situation. I use FFP2 masks which are much better than the surgical ones, and I like knowing I’m helping someone else not to get sick, especially people providing medical care, as when they are unwell, whether with cold, flu or covid, it means the rest of us wait longer to get treated.

Original poster
Justmuddlingalong · 13/02/2023 23:07

But if we, the optician and rest of the staff are wearing just the bog standard blue masks, aren't we all just kidding each other?

OP posts:
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 13/02/2023 23:09

I had a contact lens check at a local independent optician last week. They had a sign on the door asking for masks to be worn, but the actual optician said she was happy for me to remove it and wasn’t wearing one herself. I had my glasses adjusted at the same time and the assistant who did it was wearing his mask, so I put mine on for that. (That made my glasses steam up and reminded me how pleased I was that masks are largely not a thing any more!)