COVID-19 Long-Term Care & Assisted Living

Effective April 6, 2023, the B.C. provincial health officer and the B.C. Ministry of Health has lifted most of the visiting restrictions for long-term care, assisted living and hospice residences. 

• Visitors will no longer be required to provide their vaccination status, and those who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 will be able to visit freely at long-term care and assisted living sites. 
• Visitors will no longer be required to undergo a rapid antigen test or confirm a recent negative rapid antigen test prior to visiting
• Visitors will not be required to wear masks while visiting long-term care and assisted living sites, unless specifically required based on a point of care risk assessment (assessment by a health-care worker that masking is required based on the risks of infection, including a resident’s symptoms, the type of interaction with residents, and the environment)
• There will be no restrictions on gatherings, events or activities including visitors, indoors or outdoors, regardless of visitor vaccination status
• Active screening of visitors is no longer required

All visitors are required to:

• Refrain from visiting a long-term care home if ill
• Engage in hand hygiene, and follow respiratory etiquette at all times when visiting
• Maintain respect for the personal space of other residents, tenants and clients.

If you are not able to abide by the above requirements you may not be allowed to visit.

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health-care workers remains in effect.