DOH ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO LTC COVID-19 VISITATION POLICIES
The Department of Health is informing the community on updates to the COVID-19 Visitation Policies for the Iahkhihsohtha Lodge and the Tsiionkwanonhso:te Long-term Care Facility. The Ministry of Long-Term Care has provided the following updates to the Visitation Policies:
- Masks will continue to be required at all times when in the LTC facilities. Eating and drinking is not permitted except where a home is able to provide a designated space.
- Up to four visitors (including designated caregivers) per resident at a time (unless in outbreak or quarantine status)
- Visitors are expected to follow the individual home’s vaccination policies
- There will be a maximum of four (4) designated caregivers (unless previously designated) per resident
When a home, lodge, or LTC is in non-outbreak status, the following visitation policies are in effect:
- Physical distancing with the resident is not required
- Visitors may support the resident in the dining room and join in planned activities
- Visitors must be screened and tested to enter the home, lodge, or LTC
When a home, lodge, or LTC is identified to be in outbreak status, the following visitation policies are in effect:
- Only one designated caregiver per visitor may provide support in the residents’ room or quarantine room
- General visitation is not permitted, unless visiting a resident receiving end-of-life care
The following resident absences are permitted when the home, lodge, or LTC is in non-outbreak status (medical masks are required when residents are out of the facility tending to matters away from the home/lodge/LTC):
- Medical, Compassionate, or Palliative care
- Short-term essential (less than 24 hours)
- Short-term social (less than 24 hours); permitted for residents regardless of vaccination status
- Temporary social (2+ days or overnight); permitted for residents regardless of vaccination status
- Organized events or social gatherings; no cohorting required; limited capacity in a room; social group activities should be in small groups
- Communal dining: cohorting of residents and physical distancing not required; physical distance between dining tables as much as possible; buffet and family-style permitted; caregivers and visitors may join residents while remaining masked at all times
The following absences are not permitted when the home, lodge, or LTC is in outbreak status:
- Short-term social (less than 24 hours)
- Temporary social (2+ days or overnight)
- Organized events or social gatherings (permission will be based on the advice of the public health unit)
- Communal dining (in-suite dining will be permitted)
If you have any questions about the new visitation updates, please contact the Tsiionkwanonhso:te Long-Term Care Facility at 613-932-1409 or the Iakhihsohtha Lodge at 613-575-2507.