COVID-19 update - lockdown travel, locum vaccinations and more

Earlier this week, the Government decided to extend the current level 5 lockdown to Friday the 5th of March. It's important that everyone maintains the utmost vigilance as we move through what will hopefully be the last weeks of lockdown associated with COVID-19. We are mindful that locums are working at the frontline and unfortunately may become close contacts or even develop COVID-19 symptoms themselves.  If you are notified that you have been a close contact or you develop COVID-19 symptoms we ask you to ring the office at once. Our lines are open 24 hours a day and we are equipped to relist and refill your bookings at short notice if required. 

There are some great resources for pharmacists available on the PSI and HSE websites at the following links

https://www.thepsi.ie/tns/news/Coronavirus/InformationforPharmacistsCOVID.aspx

https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

We realise that this is an uncertain and stressful time for everyone and this is only amplified when working on the frontline, serving the public. If any locum has any queries regarding bookings or the pharmacies they are booked to work in then please do not hesitate in calling our office. We will be able to find the answers to any questions you may have.

Travel to and from locum bookings

As with the lockdowns in 2020, there are a number of groups that have been deemed essential workers, people working in pharmacy have been designated as one of these groups. In order to ensure compliance with the restrictions, the Gardai have been carrying out a number of checkpoints across the country.

When traveling to and from work you will need

Proof of identification

Such as your passport or driver's license. You will often have this uploaded into the document section of your app.

Proof of employment

Below we illustrate how your Clarity Locums app will demonstrate where you are working or where you have worked.

1. On the way to work.

If you are asked the reason for your journey, you can show the Gardai your booking confirmation and even your intended route by accessing your booking on the app as per the video below

2. On the way home.

You can simply show your completed timesheet on the app as per the video below.

3. Letter attached to all booking emails

Clarity Locums attaches a letter to all booking confirmation emails that details the locums status as a healthcare worker. This will be found in the attachment section of your email client, typically towards the bottom of the email. An example of how this letter appears is below:

 Mass vaccination center locums

Finally, as many of you will be aware the HSE plans to deploy pharmacists in mass vaccination centers across Ireland from February onwards. Currently, the specifics of this plan and how locum pharmacists will be vaccinated themselves, trained, and recruited for these roles remain unclear.  The team at Clarity Locums are continuing to monitor all communications from the HSE and will be in touch once any plans are confirmed. In the meantime, we ask any pharmacist interested in participating in this vaccination program to email us with their availability and the area they are currently located in.

Email Clarity now