Need to visit the vet?

CURRENT standard operating procedure is avoid having people crowding together. Therefore, visiting the vet takes a bit of planning.

1 Call ahead for an appointment. There is a limit on how many people are allowed inside the clinic, so most are open by appointment only. Some surgeries do this by phone and others by Whatsapp. Check their website.

2 Give a brief explanation of what you need, so that the vet knows how much time to allocate you.

3 Be on time. Vets have to clean and disinfect the surgery and the waiting room in between clients, so managing visits is an extra burden on clinic staff.

4 Wait outside. Because of the limits on people per square metre, you may have to queue outside for part of the time. To avoid standing in the hot street, plan to wait outside in an air-conditioned car if you can. And text when you’ve arrived!

5 Don’t bring friends and helpers. Every extra person means more risk and more cleaning, so leave your support system in the car.

Note: This guide to the “new normal” is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice.