After months of not being allowed to leave the grounds of their nursing homes, long term care home residents are now allowed to leave for day trips and overnight stays.
The Ontario government announced Friday that temporary absences from long term care homes are permitted, effective immediately.
"For 'short-stay' absences — those that do not include an overnight stay — homes must provide residents with a medical mask to be worn at all times when outside of the home, if tolerated, and remind them of the importance of public health measures, including physical distancing," the province said in a statement. "When they return, residents must be actively screened but are not required to be tested or to self-isolate."
Short-stay absences can include things like visits to see family, medical appointments, or emergency room visits that extend beyond a single night in which the person is not admitted to hospital.
The province says residents will also be able to leave their nursing homes for temporary absences of one or more nights, but will have to self-isolate for 14 days when they return. Absences will be at the discretion of the nursing home and decided on a case-by-case basis. Residents who are approved for an overnight absence will have to self-isolate for 14 days when they return. Decisions will be based on safety factors like whether the overnight outing will include a small or large gathering and the ability of the home to help residents self-isolate upon return. If a request for a temporary absence is denied, the nursing home will have to say why 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 Dr. Merrilee Fullerton. "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 said the decision to loosen the restrictions on nursing home residents was made following the advice of Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams.