NEW YORK—After a strange and tough few months, independent ECPs across the country are slowly but surely beginning to reopen their doors. Things won’t go back to normal right away—doctors and patients will still have to comply by social distancing rules, wear masks and keep things immaculately clean—but this is a major and important step back in the right direction. According to the 8th wave of the Coronavirus ECP Survey by Jobson Optical Research, 93 percent of ECPs who responded are planning to reopen, with two thirds of those rescheduling patient appointments for May. But what does reopening your doors look like after all of this?

Many independents are taking to social media both to spread the news that they’re reopening and to share some vital information about what things will be like moving forward—from how many people are allowed in the office at one time to sanitation, distancing and other health policies that will have to be enacted.



Eyes on Hayden in Scottsdale, Arizona, shared an informative and detailed post on Instagram, outlining what will change now that they have reopened. Image via Eyes on Hayden on Instagram.



Oakland Vision Center in Oakland, California, has some requirements for their returning patients—but they sound pretty reasonable. Image via Oakland Vision Center on Instagram.



Rupa Wong, MD, a surgeon at Honolulu Eye Clinic in Honolulu, Hawaii, is also back to work. She shared the changes her practice is making to adapt. Image via Rupa Wong on Instagram.



The Indiana-based Dr. Tavel team used Instagram to spotlight the importance of Healthy Vision Month as they return to work. Image via Dr. Tavel on Instagram.


Inglewood, Calgary, Canada-based Respect Eyecare is taking a few days to pin down new protocols before they open their doors again next week. Image via Respect Eyecare on Instagram.



In the Washington, D.C. area, Georgetown Optician has reopened and is limiting clients to two in-store at any given time. Image via Georgetown Optician on Instagram.



Calgary-based Chinook Optical has PPE in-store, and is ready for patients. Image via Chinook Optical on Instagram.


 

The Spex By Ryan team in Regina, Saskatoon, Canada, is ecstatic to be back in the office. Image via Spex By Ryan on Instagram.  


In Sherman Oaks, California, the Visualeyes Optometry team is heading back into the office soon—they announced their reopening date together via Instagram, while still keeping a safe distance. Image via Visualeyes Optometry on Instagram.



Arbor EyeCare, in the Chicago area, outlined the new polices that will be in place once they reopen, including temperature checks and social distancing. Image via Arbor EyeCare on Instagram.