COVID-19: Friends and family can visit loved ones in long-term care in B.C. as of April 1 - Vancouver Sun

Physical touch is allowed, subject to appropriate infection prevention and control measures are on place.

Author of the article:

David Carrigg

VICTORIA, B.C.: February 4, 2021 -- Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education, announces that enhanced safety measures and $121.2 million in federal funding are on the way, as the Province continues to strengthen health and safety plans in K-12 schools to keep students, teachers and staff safe during the pandemic. The Minister was joined by Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Stephanie Higginson, president, British Columbia School Trustees Association. Photo credit Don Craig / B.C. Government

[PNG Merlin Archive] — VICTORIA, B.C.: February 4, 2021 — Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education, announces that enhanced safety measures and $121.2 million in federal funding are on the way, as the Province continues to strengthen health and safety plans in K-12 schools to keep students, teachers and staff safe during the pandemic. The Minister was joined by Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Stephanie Higginson, president, British Columbia School Trustees Association. Photo credit Don Craig / B.C. Government [PNG Merlin Archive] Photo by DON CRAIG /PNG

Friends and family of people in long-term care facilities in B.C. will be able to visit their loved ones again as of next Thursday.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said that all residents can have frequent and routine opportunities for social visitation, starting April 1.

Visits of over one hour are permitted and can occur without staff monitoring.

Physical touch is allowed, subject to appropriate infection prevention and control measures like mask-wearing.

However, a visit must be limited to two adults and one child at a time and must be booked in advance. These visits will be permitted within a resident’s room.

“We can support safe social connections again,” Henry said.

Long-term care facility residents will also be able to travel outside their facility and not have to quarintine upon their return.

Outbreaks have decreased in long-term care facilities due to the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines – from a peak in the high 40s to two as of Thursday.

There had been a ban on general visits to long-term care facilities since the pandemic was declared last March.

This was modified last summer to allow one designated person to visit loved ones in long-term care. These designated people were vaccinated last month along with long-term care facility staff and residents.

Henry said communal dining and small group social or recreational activities for long-term care residents could resume, but only within a facility unit or floor.

There were 28,000 doses of vaccines administered in B.C. on Wednesday – a record. Just under 13 per cent of British Columbians aged 18 and over have received a vaccine.

Henry said she was concerned about the increase in the past month of people aged 19-39 contracting COVID-19.

Since September there have been 1,592 hospitalizations among people aged under 60, of which almost 20 per cent ended up in intensive care.

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