Revised Opening and Closing Times

As a result of the immediate workload and staffing pressures experienced in pharmacies at onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, contractors reported a need for flexibility in their contracted opening and closing hours. Protected time was required to allow deep cleaning, restocking, prescription processing, checking and to give rest periods to staff members. CPNI liaised with HSCB and DoH colleagues to allow pharmacies to change their opening time from 9am to 10am, and to allow a closure for lunch between 1pm and 2pm. Guidance was developed for emergency closure situations and the steps to be taken in those scenarios, including contacting the relevant HSCB personnel.

As pressures eased somewhat, correspondence issued from the HSCB in May 2020 indicating that pharmacies could revert to their pre-pandemic opening and closing arrangements with the exception of maintaining the lunch time closure where necessary. CPNI continues to monitor these arrangements and contractors are advised to continue to contact their HSCB co-ordinator in the event of any unexpected closure requirements.