Ontario allows visits by family to long-term care, retirement homes under strict health protocols

The decision was taken by Premier Doug Ford Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care and Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, media reports said.

According to the decision, long-term care homes will allow outdoor visits of one person per resident each week at a minimum.

Indoor and outdoor visits to retirement homes will be allowed only in designated areas or resident suites when physical distancing can be maintained.

Other residential care settings, including homes serving people with developmental disabilities, shelters for survivors of gender-based violence and children's residential settings, will be allowed outdoor visits of two people at a time with strict physical distancing measures to ensure the health and safety of residents, staff and visitors.

"But I ask everyone to be cautious and act responsibly as the battle to contain COVID-19 is not over and the risk to our loved ones still remains," said Premier Ford during the news conference.

Visits will resume one week after the release of visitor guidelines requiring visitors to pass active screening every time they visit, confirming with staff that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the previous two weeks and complying with the infection prevention and control protocols including wearing a face-covering during visits.

Visits in Long term Care Homes will be subject to the absence of an outbreak of COVID-19 at that time, a safety communicating protocol for visitors, and maintenance of highest infection prevention and control standards by the Homes.

"With the possible spread of COVID-19 in our long-term care homes still being a real threat, people will need to follow strict health and safety protocols in order to protect our most vulnerable," said Fullerton during the conference.

Visitor admissions for retirement homes will vary from home to home depending upon their individual circumstances.

"Seniors living in retirement homes have been doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19," said Raymond Cho at the conference. "Our government appreciates their cooperation and we are happy they will soon be able to enjoy visits with family and friends while continuing to stay safe."

Visitors to other residential care settings will be allowed under similar rules.

With the continuous evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak, the direction on visits at long-term care homes, retirement homes and residential settings in Ontario will be updated continually.

Visits have been restricted since mid-March, with only essential visitors permitted to enter long-term care and retirement homes.

In the event of an outbreak at an individual home or residential care setting, non-essential visits will again be restricted and during the occurrence of the second wave of COVID-19, the government will revert to restricting visitors at all homes and residential care settings to protect residents and staff.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)