Province ready to allow visitors at seniors care homes

Jun 30, 2020 | 12:47 PM

Residents in British Columbia’s long-term care and assisted-living homes will be able to have visitors again soon.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, has announced the restriction banning non-essential visits to the facilities put in place in mid-March, is being lifted on a limited basis.

“To start, residents will be able to have a single designated visitor in a designated visiting area of facilities. We are going to start slowly and, as we expect things will progress well, we’ll expand these activities as we have with every other activity,” said Henry.

Visitors will be required to wear a mask and will have to pre-book their visit.

But before it goes ahead, facilities have to submit a safety plan including a designated staff member screening and providing guidance to all people coming into the building.

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“It may take some facilities a week or ten days to get all of the provisions in place, but I know they are working on it,” said Henry.

Dr. Henry says the timing is right for the change due to the low number of new Covid cases and with the supply of personal protective equipment for staff at good levels.

Visitors will not be able to go to facilities where there is an outbreak, with five of those currently in B.C.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said almost 100 people have died of Covid in B.C. long-term care homes.

“This, for me, regardless of how people do in other places, is too many.”

Dix said the province will provide $160 million for facilities to hire up to three full time equivalent staff in each of B.C.’s 680 long term care and assisted living homes.

“This could total as many as 2,040 additional staff staff dedicated to ensuring protection and prevention control measures for Covid-19 are followed to ensure safe visiting,” stated Dix.

The province will also provide $26.5 million for facilities to address costs they incurred between March 31 and June 30, 2020 including additional screening, sick time and self isolation.

Dr. Henry said at this point, there are no plans to mandate general mask use in B.C.

“But we should have one with us at all times so we can wear them in those situations as they pop up.”

She says masks are an extra layer of protection in areas where social distancing is not possible.

by Pete McIntyre

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