COMMUNITY pharmacies have been given updated guidance on Covid-19 in response to Stormont implementing new powers on restricting people's movements.
The new powers to enforce social distancing rules came into force in Northern Ireland at the weekend.
Chief pharmaceutical officer Cathy Harrison said the move had raised some concerns among community pharmacies about maintaining services amid the lockdown.
All community pharmacies in Northern Ireland should open for business as normal and continue to follow the specific guidance for pharmacies, she said.
Community pharmacy 'frequently asked questions' (FAQs) and a staff protection checklist are available online at hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3124.htm.
The FAQs will continually be updated in response to the latest information and guidelines.
It includes advising pharmacies to limit the number of people within the pharmacy at the same time; regularly rotate staff on the counter to minimise patient contact; and consider installing temporary screens.
The guidance also advises community pharmacies to consider dealing with repeat prescription requests by phone, email, text or online only.
In March, more than one million face masks, 200,000 gloves and 40,000 aprons were delivered to trusts, GPs and community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said.
"We acknowledge that there have been some issues related to the supply of equipment and we are working hard and at pace to resolve these," it said.
"We are now confident that all logistical issues are being solved and that every part of the health and care system that needs PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) will be supplied in good time with adequate stock."
General guidance on social distancing is available at publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus.
