After weeks of frenzied activity, this week seems to be quieter for pharmacies across Luxembourg.
However, employees still need to be protected, as demanded by the union, who pushed for more stringent measures to keep staff safe on Monday. As a result of the meeting, all pharmacy staff members will now receive protective masks.
Pharmacies have also appealed to the public to stay at home unless they are in urgent need of medication. The president of the union, Alain De Bourcy, reiterated that pharmacies were well stocked and there were no shortages at present.
Oliver Moes, a pharmacist from Hesperange, said he hoped the current crisis would prove educational and result in better preparations for the future. He suggested pharmacies carry emergency kits with hand sanitiser, masks, glasses and so on, ensuring the constant supply of such items.
Another issue staff in the sector have to struggle with is childcare, following the closure of schools on Monday. De Bourcy expressed concern that the number of employees could drop and advised that pharmacy staff seek alternative childcare arrangements where possible, to maintain the service. At present, De Bourcy said emergency pharmacies at night and at weekends were covered, but did not rule out the possibility of having to requisition more staff.
The majority of Luxembourg's pharmacies have implemented other safety measures alongside the masks, such as reducing the number of customers in the store at any given time, and asking customers to observe the distance guidelines to prevent potential infection.
Report in Luxembourgish
