Leading UK pharmacy bodies have issued a joint statement on the importance of maintaining social distancing in pharmacies as they fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The statement is signed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), the Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK), the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland and Pharmacy Forum.

It reads: "All frontline pharmacy teams are understandably concerned about protecting themselves from exposure to Covid-19. We share this concern and recognise the important steps that those providing frontline services can take to preserve continuity of vital, safe, pharmacy services."

It emphasises that social distancing is the most effective protection against the spread of Covid-19 and calls on pharmacy settings to consider how social distancing of at least two metres can be achieved in the pharmacy for the protection of pharmacy staff.

The appeal says that if it is not possible to maintain the two metre distance, the entrance of the pharmacy should be closed and entry controlled so that a two metre distance can be maintained for the protection of staff and customers.

The statement adds that this advice "does not negate the need for all pharmacy teams to have access to appropriate PPE for specific instances where it is a necessary addition to social distancing measures, for example when working in small dispensaries".