As of July 7, 2021, Step 2  of the ‘Roadmap to Reopen’, restrictions on visitors to our Long Term Care settings have been opened up.

In terms of vaccination requirements, the Ministry have required staff to either:

• Proof of vaccination
• Provide a documented medical reason for not being vaccinated
• Participate in an educational program about the benefits of being vccinationed and risks of not being vaccinated

Last week personal care services such as hairdressing are now allowed.  I don’t know about you, but getting a hair cut never felt (or looked) so good!

Policies are now in place for providing beds to be used for isolation purposes.

Most critically, there are new ‘guiding principles’ for visiting our friends and family who live in Long Term Care residences.

Types of visitors:

1. Essential visitors: defined as those persons performing essential support services such as:
   • Food delivery
   • Inspector
   • Health services
   • Visiting a very ill person

AND

Support workers and caregivers (as defined under Directive #3).

A maximum of two caregivers may be designated per resident at a time and there is no limit as to the number of persons who can be designated as a caregiver ( which must be in writing).

2.       General Visitors (as of July 7 2021)

• Up to 10 visitors per resident can visit OUTDOORS
• Up to 2 general visitors and 2 caregivers can visit INDOORS
• Active screening of all visitors is also required
• Visitors must wear PPE ( as per Directive #3)

Stayed tuned  as we are remain hopeful that Ontario will move into Step 3 on July 16, 2021.

The activities we have previously taken for granted are now such a welcome renewal of hope and encouragement as we try and pick up our lives following  a very very difficult time that we hope we never have to deal with again.