TAMWORTH'S optometrist services are bracing for an influx of customers after the easing of social-distancing measures by the state government.
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Since March, optometrists have been restricted to emergency-only consultations, while others opted to temporarily shut their doors.
Paul Harvey Optometry was one such service to temporarily close its doors due to the strict social-distancing guidelines.
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However, clinic manager Karen Johns said her team was now bracing itself for an influx of clients.
"Basically, we can now see anyone who has any eye concerns," Mrs Johns told the Leader.
"We've certainly seen an influx of people booking in for a variety of different things.
"Since last Thursday, we are also able to resume testing at our Quirindi branch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while we opened up at Shoppingworld two weeks ago.
"It's really pleasing to be back and to be able to offer both optical and diabetics check ups as well."
Mrs Johns said closing the stores during the early stages of the pandemic was a "tough call" to make.
"Initially we closed for a couple of weeks and had a couple of people on call for emergencies," she said.
"From there, we opened up on Peel Street with reduced hours because we were finding there was a spike in people breaking and losing their glasses.
"Also we found people who were working from home were straining their eyes and suffering headaches, so we started seeing an influx of them too."
"Obviously, we are still practicing a lot of our additional precautionary measures such as screens, longer consultation times for cleaning of equipment and when people try on frames we sterilize them all thoroughly," Mrs Johns said.
"It can be a bit challenging, but we are committed to taking as many additional measures as we need to because we want to keep everyone safe.
"In saying that, the best thing people can do is the right thing, which is to stay at home if they are feeling unwell.
"Our message is for anyone who feels like they need a check up, please feel free to book in and see us."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
