Visiting Protocols

What to do before you visit

• Consider your own personal health and susceptibility to COVID-19 in determining whether visiting the long-term care home is appropriate. If you are ill, please stay home.
• If you are visiting outdoors, ensure that you bring a mask or face covering that you can wear for the duration of your visit. If you are visiting indoors, the home will provide the appropriate personal protective equipment to be worn for the duration of your visit. Masking is recommended and encouraged and outdoors as an added layer of protection against COVID-19.

The day of your visit

• All visitors will be required to pass an active screening questionnaire administered by staff. Upon arrival to the home, go directly to the screening table.
• All visitors will be required to undergo rapid antigen testing administered by the home as per the Minister’s Directive: COVID-19 Response Measures for Long-Term Care Homes (external link).
• All visitors will be required to wear a mask for the duration of their indoor visit. Visitors are permitted to take part in maskless visits with their loved one in the resident’s room only with the door closed. Visitors must reapply their mask when a staff member or other resident enters the room. Masking remains encouraged at all times, for both indoor and outdoor visits, as an added layer of protection against COVID-19.
• You must complete hand hygiene.
• Visitors should maintain physical distancing from other groups.

Other important information

• If the home is in outbreak general visiting will be suspended and essential caregivers will be the only type of visitor allowed to enter the home.
• Outdoor visiting will be discontinued if there are adverse weather conditions, such as rain or a heat alert.
• Please note that if these rules are not followed, your visits may be discontinued.