TO: Long-Term Care Facilities
FROM: Paula Langille, Director, DSLTC
DATE: October 4, 2021
RE: Vaccination Requirement for Visitors to LTC
Thank you for your patience as we work to clarify all the details of the Phase 5 changes to Long-Term Care that come into effect today, October 4, 2021. We anticipate that the COVID-19 Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities will follow later this week.
Following the release of CCIR 21-150.0 Mandatory Vaccine September 29 we have received several questions. Please find clarification below.
Effective today, October 4, 2021:
- All visitors to long-term care must be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination must be provided by visitors who wish to visit a loved one in LTC. This does not include designated caregivers, professionals (such as lawyers or financial advisors), or children under 12 years of age.
- Residents may not leave the facility with visitors who are not fully vaccinated. This does not include designated caregivers.
- All LTC residents throughout the province may leave their facility to participate in activities in the community. All residents may attend overnight visits except when the overnight visit will occur in Central zone. This means residents of any zone (including central zone) may attend overnight visits that occur outside of the Central zone.
Facilities may make exceptions to visiting restrictions for non-vaccinated visitors in instances where the resident is palliative. Non-vaccinated visitors who attend LTC facilities to visit a palliative resident must wear a mask and follow all PPE and distancing guidelines.