Face mask question

[user8291811]

I live in Wales where the covid rules have just been relaxed and masks are now only required in healthcare settings.
I was in Boots today and a member of staff was telling a customer that she still needed to wear a mask as it is a healthcare setting. I would have thought it was a shop and that masks are no longer required.

Strictly speaking, I think that a pharmacy does count as a healthcare setting. I expect most customers wouldn't think of it that way though.

Its a strange one but if you are in the "foot print of the pharmacy" then its classed as a health care setting. However, it also depends on the size of the store- a large high street store would only cover the area that has the healthcare and pharmacy counters in it, but a smaller local store it could cover the whole shop...... either way it's not really clear for customers or staff!

I know that Boots stores cannot open without a pharmacist on site (the whole store), so assume the whole store counts as a healthcare setting. I personally think it's sensible anyway due to the fact there are more likely to be a higher proportion of old/sick people in store

CovidCanDoOne123 some stores can open without a pharmacist, but they cant serve on the healthcare counters / dispense or hand out medication etc - again it depends on the contract that has been agreed with the NHS....just another way to confuse customers !!

I've gone into both our local independent pharmacy and into Boots for weeks now without a face mask.

I will now only wear face masks if in the GP's surgery or at a hospital appointment.

I'm not in Wales though. The restrictions were relaxed back in January (I think it was), and I have hardly worn a mask since. Most places simply weren't bothering to enforce it well before then anyway and I am glad to say that mask compliance had dropped significantly.

@CovidCanDoOne123

I know that Boots stores cannot open without a pharmacist on site (the whole store), so assume the whole store counts as a healthcare setting. I personally think it's sensible anyway due to the fact there are more likely to be a higher proportion of old/sick people in store

Hmm, interesting. Our Boots store has until recently closed the pharmacy bit at lunchtime, but kept the rest of the store open. The past couple of weeks the entire store is now closed for an hour at lunchtime. Maybe this is why.

@CovidCanDoOne123

I know that Boots stores cannot open without a pharmacist on site (the whole store), so assume the whole store counts as a healthcare setting. I personally think it's sensible anyway due to the fact there are more likely to be a higher proportion of old/sick people in store

One of the larger boots in my town had recently closed their entire prescription pharmacy bit. They only sell cosmetics, hair care stuff, soap, baby stuff and a small amount of painkillers and cough syrups and all the stuff that does not need a prescription. Does that mean they're not actually meant to be open? Or that they will still have to have a member of staff on that works in that area?

It depends what contract has been agreed with the NHS, eg some store are partially de-registered - this means the store can trade without a pharmacist being physically in store BUT they cannot sell any over the counters medicines, dispense or hand out prescriptions or give any medicine advice.
Another example is The pharmacist has to sign in as the 'responsible phamracist', within these rules they can sign in but not physically be in store for upto an hour, eg if they are stuck in traffic, need to pop out for lunch - but no dispensing can take place however it allows the store to open.
Some stores have 'old' type NHS contracts and if the pharmacist isnt present the whole store has to shut.
These regulations apply to all pharmacies, not just Boots.

@CovidCanDoOne123

I know that Boots stores cannot open without a pharmacist on site (the whole store), so assume the whole store counts as a healthcare setting. I personally think it's sensible anyway due to the fact there are more likely to be a higher proportion of old/sick people in store

There are two small branches of Boots in my city that don't have a pharmacy at all.