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Province allows outings for long-term care residents

Day trips allowed and overnight outings at discretion of homes, as Ontario eases long-term care restrictions.
long-term-care

TORONTO – After months of confinement over COVID-19 concerns, Ontario long-term care residents will once again be allowed to leave facilities for outings including family visits.

The government made the announcement Friday, citing advice from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams.

Day trips will be allowed under new provincial rules, while homes will have discretion to approve or deny requests for overnight absences.

Residents must be “actively screened” upon their return, and must self-isolate for 14 days after overnight visits. Testing will not be mandated by the province.

Homes must also provide residents a non-medical mask and reminders of safety measures including physical distancing before they leave a home.

Lee Mesic, administrator of the city-run Pioneer Ridge care home, said the city was still reviewing the new policy and would communicate details on how it will be implemented to residents and families next week.

According to the province, the decision on whether to grant overnight outings should be based on a care home’s assessment of the trip’s COVID-19 risk as well as its ability to support the two-week self-isolation period.

If homes deny a request, they must communicate their rationale in writing.

"This is a day we have all looked forward to, and it is my hope that these welcome changes will improve our residents' quality of life, while keeping them safe," said Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton in a release Friday. "As Ontarians begin to resume their pre-COVID activities, residents in long-term care will be able to get out and about in their communities and spend time with loved ones again."

The province also announced it will update guidelines for visits to long-term care homes next week.


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