SARS-CoV-2 infection increases perioperative risks, both with the acute infection and its aftermath. Accruing data suggests that elective surgery should be deferred for 7 weeks for most types of surgery, although individualised risk assessment may reduce or increase this timeframe. Paul Myles talks with Dr Kariem El-Boghdadly from Guy's Hospital in London, the lead author of a recently published consensus statement arising in the UK.