COVID-19 measures taken by IBTS to protect donors and staff:
Appointments for clinics
• All clinics are now appointment based – to book an appointment call 1850 731 137. Donors must arrive on time as this regulates social distancing on clinic.
• Some donors will be asked to travel to a centralised venue in their wider local area.
Some additional donation restrictions
• With Met Eireann’s high temperature alert this week, it is essential to make sure you are well hydrated and drink plenty of fluids before donating blood.
• Donors over 70/plus must be fully vaccinated, have a GP letter stating fitness to donate (this needs to be renewed annually) have donated within the last 2 years and are otherwise eligible.
• If you have/had any symptoms of Covid-19, you must be fully recovered for 28 days before you can donate.
• You must wait 14 days from the last time you were in contact with a person with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 infection, or if you have travelled outside the island of Ireland.
• Health Care workers can donate so long as they have had no known contact with Covid-19 cases in the last 14 days.
• First Time Donors are welcome in limited numbers and must also make an appointment.
• Donors who have had a HPRA approved Covid-19 vaccination such as the Pfizer / BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen or Astra Zeneca vaccines, must wait 7 days after receiving the vaccine before they can donate, so long as they are feeling well and asymptomatic.
Clinic safety
• Hand gel is provided and all donors must use it.
• Social distancing is in place on clinic.
• All relevant surfaces in our clinics are cleaned frequently with approved disinfectant.
• Only donors will be able to access the donation area.
• Medical-grade (surgical) face masks are mandatory – Donors must wear medical -grade face masks on clinic with the exception of pre and post donation hydration. Other face coverings, such as visors and snoods, will not be accepted, this is in the interest of public health. This is a safety measure to protect donors and staff from Covid-19. Medical-grade masks are more effective in preventing the transmission of coronavirus. This is important as the newer variants of coronavirus are more infectious. A mask will be offered to all donors who are wearing a face covering when they attend clinic. Hand sanitisers are available in clinic to use before and after mask removal/replacement. IBTS staff will be wearing masks throughout the process.
• IBTS staff will be wearing appropriate PPE throughout the process.
More Information here regarding Covid-19 measures in place. Thank you for your donation, your help and co-operation.
