We are writing further to the announcement today about the end of respiratory season, made by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix.
What you need to know
As of 1:00 pm today, the Visitation and Visitor Appeal and Review – February 5, 2021 order was cancelled. This means that after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting in our long term Care Homes is returning to normal.
Specifically:
- Visitors will no longer need to be screened before entering one of our Care Homes.
- Visitors will not need to provide vaccination status, and unvaccinated visitors may visit freely.
- Visitors will no longer need a rapid COVID-19 test, or need to confirm a recent negative test prior to visiting.
- Visitors will not be required to wear masks unless specifically required by existing Infection Prevention and Control measures (i.e., if influenza, COVID-19 or other infectious disease is present in the Home, or if a resident is experiencing symptoms).
- At this time, masks will continue to be available at the front door if you wish to wear one.
- There are no restrictions on gatherings, events, or activities. Gatherings with loved ones may happen inside or out of doors, regardless of visitor vaccination status.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures will remain in place.
- The requirement for staff vaccinations is still in place, and is expected to remain indefinitely.
- Staff will not be required to wear masks in common spaces, unless specifically required by existing Infection Prevention and Control measures (i.e., if influenza, COVID-19 or other infectious disease is present in the Home, or if a resident is experiencing symptoms or is immunocompromised).
- Once respiratory illness season begins in the fall of this year, some measures may be reinstituted. If so, we will communicate with you at that time.
Care Homes may still experience incidences of COVID-19, influenza, or other infections from time to time. When appropriate, we will follow our Infection Prevention and Control policies.
What you need to do
- For everyone’s protection, if you feel unwell or have a fever, please choose another time for your visit, when your symptoms have resolved.
- Please continue to follow infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene or wearing a mask in certain situations, to protect the vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities who live in our Homes. Hand sanitizer and masks will be available at the main entrance, and throughout each Home.
- If you so choose, you may of course continue to wear a mask when visiting with your loved one.
- If your loved one is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or other infectious disease, you may be advised to wear a mask when visiting with them.
- Continue to check the Care Home Status Update page for the most current information at each Care Home. This page will be updated when there is new information to share.
We are so pleased to be able to welcome everyone back into our Care Homes, and are grateful for the outstanding support and understanding you have given us during the past three years.
