Today we have an update about visitation at our Care Homes, further to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s announcement last week.
What you need to know
Effective Friday, March 18, we are able to welcome back all vaccinated visitors to our Care Homes. For some visitors, the process will be different than you previously experienced. It’s a little different in some ways for us, too, and we appreciate your patience as we do everything we can to ensure we can continue to have as many people visit as possible.
What COVID-19 screening and protocols can I expect?
- All regular visitors must be double vaccinated. This means you are more than 14 days past your second dose.
- COVID-19 screening, including rapid testing, will continue to be required.
- All visitors will need to adhere to COVID-19 long term care protocols. You can learn more about these protocols on our website.
What is the rapid test process?
- Further to Provincial Health Orders, all visitors will need to have a rapid COVID-19 test that is negative, before being permitted entry to the Home.
- This rapid test will happen at the Care Home.
- The rapid test takes approximately 20 minutes per test to complete.
Where can I visit?
- Once you have entered the Care Home, please proceed directly to your loved one’s room for the duration of your visit. When you have finished your visit, please return directly to the main entrance, sign out, and leave the building.
When can I visit?
Below is the schedule for visiting at each Care Home. Please note: with an increase in visitors, you may need to wait in line for screening and rapid testing. If you can, please consider not visiting during peak hours to help reduce traffic during those times. Thank you for your patience as we accommodate as many people as possible.
| Care Home | Visiting Hours | Peak Hours |
| Beckley Farm Lodge | 9:30 am – 5:00 pm daily No appointment required. | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| Nigel House | Please call to book your appointment for a rapid test. 250.475.2050 | No peak hours |
| Rest Haven Lodge | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. No appointment required. | 2:30 – 3:30 pm |
| Veterans Memorial Lodge | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. No appointment required. | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Essential Visitors
Because essential visits are included in loved ones’ care plans, essential and essential end-of-life visitors will receive priority.
What you can do
Check the COVID-19 Care Home and Visiting Information page for the most current information. While this page is no longer updated daily, we will add information when it is available. We are anticipating further details from Island Health, and will add these to this page when they are received.
We are so pleased to be able to open our doors to visitors again. We enjoy watching families and loved ones spend time together, and know how much it means to all of you. We ask for your understanding, and are thankful for your patience, as we do our best to ensure visits happen for as many people as possible.
