BSAVA welcomes guidance on key worker status for vets

20 March 2020

With the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases in the UK, BSAVA welcome assurance that some veterinary surgeons will be able to claim key worker status if they are providing essential veterinary care, and will be able to prioritise their children for education provision under these circumstances.

The clarification comes from a statement issued by the RCVS and BVA to help the veterinary profession interpret the guidance released by Government on 19 March about who qualifies as ‘key workers’ in relation to the closure of schools.

Sue Paterson BSAVA President said: “Veterinary professionals are clearly critical for the provision of emergency treatment and pain relief to ensure the health and welfare of the UK’s animals. Key worker status will enable us to do our utmost to provide requisite care for small animals during this unprecedented and extremely difficult time. We are immensely grateful to teachers and workers in the education sector for making secure provision for our children.”

For the full statement from RCVS and BVA, please visit the RCVS website here.

For further information on how the veterinary profession is supporting medical colleagues during the  COVID-19 pandemic visit https://bsava.com/COVID-19