On 11 May 2020 we issued General Direction GD0014 (version 2), which is designed to accommodate the very different positions that clinics find themselves in dealing with the impact of COVID-19. General Direction GD0014 (version 2) requires that before resuming licensed treatment clinics must have a written COVID-19 Treatment Commencement Strategy, and that this has been assessed as robust by our inspectors.
Clinics are also required to complete the HFEA COVID-19 Treatment Commencement self-assessment tool and submit this to their inspector before commencing treatment. Clinics cannot resume treatment until they have received our approval.
We aim to complete our approval process within five working days of receiving the completed clinic self-assessment. When each clinic receives approval to reopen, we will publish this information in the list on our website to make patients aware.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted on licensed centres in different ways. Whatever position a clinic is in, we understand that the safety of patients and staff will be their priority. GD0014 (version 2) is designed to provide clinics with a framework for enabling as many patients as possible to have safe treatment through these difficult times. It does not require clinics to resume treatment by a certain date.
We have also put together a new set of FAQs, including information about coronavirus testing, signing consents, and storage regulations, which clinic staff may find helpful.
Publication date: 9 April 2026