GPs, Vets, Dietitians among Medical Professions Authorised to Resume Activities

On Wednesday afternoon, Luxembourg’s Minister of Health Paulette Lenert and the national medical coordinator Dr. Alain Schmit held a press conference to present further details of the planned resumption of non-urgent medical activities (from 4 May 2020).

During the press conference, Health Minister Paulette Lenert clarified that medical professionals, including GPs, veterinarians, dietitians and midwives (among others), are authorised to resume their activities from next Monday. Minister Lenert added that teleconsultations remain the preferred format, with doctors being the best equipped to decide if a patient should come to the practice for a face-to-face consultation or be referred to another medical structure. 

In medical practices, the objective is to avoid long waiting room times and limit the number of patients in waiting rooms. Patients will receive a face mask directly at the entrance and only card payments will be accepted. 

The Health Minister also confirmed that advanced care centres will remain open, but will treat COVID-19 patients exclusively from next week. The opening hours have also been reduced. Similarly, COVID-19 and non-coronavirus patients will still be separated at hospitals.

Paulette Lenert added that dentists will be able to collect protective equipment from Hall Victor Hugo in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg on Thursday afternoon (between 13:00 and 18:00). The Health Minister and Dr. Alain Schmit later explained that dentists would be the first to receive such equipment since they are at greater risk of infection due to the nature of their work.

The national medical coordinator also stressed that the public's fear of going to hospital during these uncertain times were unfounded since measures are in place to guarantee continued "optimal" safety. He added that we must learn to "live with the virus", before stressing that the goal remained caring for ALL patients, not just those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

In response to a question from the press, Dr. Schmit confirmed that the continuation or cancellation of previously arranged medical appointments in the coming weeks would be up to individual doctors and practices. Priority will be given to the most urgent cases.