In an effort to prevent any future COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes throughout Ontario, the province is clamping down on residents who make off-site visits to family and friends.
Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, issued the new restriction under the Long-Term Care Homes Act on Tuesday. Until further notice, nursing home residents will not be able to leave the facility for social trips. Instead, they will be permitted to go outside within the confines of the long-term care home property and can also have visitors as long as they maintain a safe social distance.
The measure is being put in place to ensure residents do not contract COVID-19 while out of the home and then inadvertently spread the virus upon their return.
"Ontario is implementing critical and necessary measures to ensure that we are able to protect the health and well-being of Ontarians, in particular our seniors," Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott said in a statement. "We have been working for several months now, with all our partners across the system, from public health to hospitals and long-term care operators, to put processes in place to contain this virus and be ready to respond to any scenario."
Non-essential visits to all Ontario long-term care homes continue to be restricted and all essential visitors, staff, students, and volunteers are being screened prior to entry.
Other steps being taken to better protect those living in long-term care include newly eased labour rules that will allow management to deploy personnel more freely. Under the order, staff can be redeployed between facilities, have shifts changed and vacations and other leaves of absences cancelled as needed. Extra part-time or temporary staff can also be added, including for the purpose of performing bargaining unit work.
According to the province, the temporary move gives long-term care homes the ability to free-up valuable staff, identify staffing priorities, and develop, modify and implement redeployment plans.
Any new nurses or personal support workers hired by long-term care homes to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic will be screened to ensure they are qualified and present no risk to residents, the province reassured.