The Province of Ontario announced new measures to protect the safety of retirement home residents and staff on Friday, giving facilities more freedom in staffing and additional funding to fight infection.
As part of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, a temporary order has been made that will give retirement homes more flexibility to recruit and reassign staff to address the impact of this virus.
This action will also allow facilities to focus more resources on implementing the protocols and procedures put in place to protect the health and safety of residents.
Retirement homes are required to report any outbreak of COVID-19 to the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority and the local officer of health.
Ontario has also amended the Retirement Homes Act (2010) to require all facilities to follow the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s guidance and recommendations regarding infection control and prevention.
An additional $20 million has been invested to support increased infection control and active screening measures.
