Coronavirus advice for veterinary professionals

Veterinary services during Covid-19 

Throughout the Covid-19 crisis veterinary professionals have been able to work, in line with the UK government's advice to business. Initially (in March 2020), this work was limited to urgent and emergency services, and services to maintain the food supply chain. Practices then transitioned to providing services that are essential for animal health and welfare or public health, including to relieve pain and suffering.

As rules have changed across the UK veterinary practices have been adapting their working practices and range of services in line with local, regional, and national lockdown measures.

All veterinary services must be provided in a manner that supports social/physical distancing and good hygiene and biosecurity. 

Updated guidance on working safely as lockdown restrictions are eased

In March and April, the four governments of the UK started to ease Covid-19 restrictions in line with their respective roadmaps to open up the economy.

RCVS guidance allows practices in each of the UK administrations to provide a more normal range of services to clients in accordance with their professional judgement from the following dates: Wales 22 March; Scotland 5 April; England and Northern Ireland 12 April.

We’re encouraging practices to follow RCVS recovery guidance and BVA guidance on working safely as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Previous BVA guidance

You can access previous guidance for veterinary professionals:

Frequently asked questions

Read our FAQs for the latest information, including sections on: in the workplace; government support for veterinary businesses; medicines; students; mental health; how you can help; and animal owners and breeders.

Read our FAQs

Webinars - Covid-19 and the veterinary profession

We ran a programme of webinars, in partnership with The Webinar Vet, to help keep you up-to-date on the restrictions, what they mean for veterinary work, and our lobbying efforts to secure support for veterinary businesses. The sessions also provided an opportunity for you ask your questions direct to our President, Daniella Dos Santos.

Access previous webinars
Resources for veterinary practices Image

Resources for veterinary practices

Resources for veterinary practices 

Download our social media graphics and poster to help you communicate the key Covid-19 messages to your clients. 

Download Coronavirus Resources

Contact tracing across the UK

The four nations of the UK have launched contact tracing programmes. 

Employees in self-isolation are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay for every day they are in isolation, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions.

 

Face coverings

England

Face coverings must be worn by retail, leisure and hospitality staff working in areas that are open to the public and where they’re likely to come into contact with a member of the public. Vet practices are not explicitly listed here but the guidance states that for other indoor settings, employers should assess the use of face coverings on a case-by-case basis depending on the workplace environment, other appropriate mitigations they have put in place, and whether reasonable exemptions apply.

Members of the public must, by law, wear a face covering in veterinary practices in England, unless they are exempt for age, health, or equality reasons. Premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law and could refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid exemption, however, there is not an expectation that veterinary practices should police the law, and you should be mindful that some people may not be able to wear a face covering for various reasons. 

More info

Northern Ireland

It is mandatory to wear a face covering in any indoor place where goods or services are available to buy or rent which includes veterinary practices. People who work in relevant places must also wear a face covering unless they are separated from members of the public by a partition.

There is an exception to this mandate where a business is able to maintain social distancing by using a system of ticketing or appointments.  However, it is strongly advised that you should continue using face coverings in these circumstances. 

More info

Scotland

Veterinary practices are classed as retail space in legislation and therefore staff, employees, and volunteers must wear a face covering unless they are separated by a partition, or maintain a distance of 2 metres It is important to remember that members of staff may be exempt from wearing a face covering for age, health or equality reasons. Employers should continue to follow the workplaces guidance on the Scottish Government website and should endorse and support staff to wear face coverings in all areas of the workplace, including those mandated by law, and to follow best practice in the use of face coverings.

Members of the public must also by law, wear a face covering in veterinary practices in Scotland, unless they are exempt for age, health, or equality reasons. Premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law and could refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid exemption, however, there is not an expectation that veterinary practices should police the law, and you should be mindful that some people may not be able to wear a face covering for various reasons.

More info

Wales

Members of staff are required to wear a face covering in any indoor public space (i.e. any part of a premises that clients have access to) unless they are exempt for age, health, or equality reasons. Further guidance can be found here: https://gov.wales/face-coverings-guidance-public Employers in Wales are also required to mandate the use of face coverings in indoor workplaces where social distancing cannot be maintained unless there are strong reasons not to. More information for employers in Wales is available on the Welsh government website.

Members of the public must also by law, wear a face covering in veterinary practices in Wales, unless they are exempt for age, health, or equality reasons. Premises where face coverings are required are encouraged to take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law and could refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid exemption, however, there is not an expectation that veterinary practices should police the law, and you should be mindful that some people may not be able to wear a face covering for various reasons. 

More info

Before booking appointments, we’re advising practices to clarify whether clients are exempt from wearing face coverings and, if clients are exempt, advise clients if any adjustments will be made to how services are provided.

Supporting you

The BVA legal helpline is available to all members with any questions about the impact of Covid-19 on your business or employment rights. You may also want to take a look at the helpline Coronavirus FAQs.

Lloyd & Whyte is available to all members for professional insurance and financial advice. Read their advice on insurance and Covid-19

Vetlife is available 24/7 to support you if you are feeling worried or anxious, via their website or 0303 040 2551. Support is also available via Vet Support NI and Vet Support Scotland.

Changes to RSPCA out-of-hours

RSPCA have made a permanent change to their out-of-hours provision, which may have an impact on veterinary professionals. Details on who you can contact at RSPCA out-of-hours are available for members to view in this resource.

Coronavirus and animals

There is limited evidence that some animals, including pets, can contract coronavirus. Cases in pet animals are very rare, and at present the evidence suggests that coronavirus:

  • may pass from infected humans to certain pets such as cats and ferrets following close contact
  • does not easily pass between cats or most other pets, but this cannot be ruled out
  • may pass between ferrets and humans based on the evidence from mink infections

However it is extremely important to reiterate that according to the OIE, the current pandemic is being sustained through human-to-human transmission, and there is no evidence that animals are playing a significant role in the spread of Covid-19.

It is the case that animals may act as fomites, as the virus could be on their fur for a short period of time in the same way it is on other surfaces, such as tables and doorknobs. Vets should continue to take the usual precautions when handling animals and animal products in line with good biosecurity protocols.

More detailed reports on SARS-Cov-2 infections in animals that have been reported to the OIE can be accessed at the OIE’s Findings in Animals page.

Tests for Covid-19 in animals are now available in the UK but have to meet strict criteria. More information is available in our FAQs.

Advice if pet owners have Covid-19 or are self-isolating

The OIE recommends that people who are sick with Covid-19 limit contact with companion and other animals until more information is known about the virus. Read the OIE Questions and answers on Covid-19 in full.

Read our full advice for pet owners diagnosed with Covid-19 or self-isolating with symptoms on our coronavirus advice for animal owners page.

We're here to support you. 
Contact us via our dedicated Covid-19 email:

[email protected]