Our experience: Surgical tracheostomy in 20 patients with COVID- 19 pneumonitis Key pointsThe potential for transmission of the SARS -CoV-2 virus to healthcare workers performing the tracheostomy necessitates changes to standard tracheostomy proceduresSurgical tracheostomy performed in a theatre environment enables surgical and anaesthetic teams to support critical care staff by taking ownership of this aspect of patient careAll ENT and Maxillofacial teams used PPE including FFP3 facemasks, visors, and disposable hoodsMedian (interquartile range) day to tracheostomy after intubation was 19 days (16-26.3). Median follow up was 17.5 days (range 3-24).None of the healthcare workers involved were clinically or PCR positive for COVID -19 in the post-operative periodKeywords SARS-CoV-2, Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, Tracheostomy, Mechanical Ventilation