COVID-19 Long-Term Care & Assisted Living

Social visits to long-term care (LTC) homes have resumed. 

Please note: Visitors - with some exceptions - must continue to show proof of vaccination before visiting. 

• Currently, visitors ages 12 and older are required to undergo rapid Point of Care (POC) testing for COVID-19, and receive a negative result before being allowed to visit the facility. Visitors age 12+ will now have the option to take either an at-home rapid antigen up to 48 hours before their visit or a POC rapid antigen test upon arrival. Visitors who take the at-home test can report their negative result to site screeners prior to entry. Sites will inform visitors of the process to pick up at-home test kits. 
• Visitors may also pick up at-home test kits at pharmacies where available
• Currently people 18+ and up may pick up tests at pharmacies, and we anticipate that eligibility will expand
• To ensure sites safely support an increase in volume of visitors, visits may be scheduled in advance
• All visitors are still required to wear a medical mask when moving through and in common areas. However, masks are not required when fully vaccinated visitors are visiting in a single occupancy LTC room, a seniors’ AL unit, or when outdoors.

• Essential and single designated visitor will remain in place to ensure that in the event of an outbreak at the site (on a unit, floor or facility-wide) every resident will still have connection to loved ones
• Preventative measures including visitor vaccination, facility entry screening, masking and rapid testing of visitors
• Existing exceptions to the rapid antigen testing requirements for end of life visitors and children under 12 years of age
• Practicing proper hand hygiene and physical distancing from other residents
• As a visitor, you will be screened for signs and symptoms of illness, including COVID-19. Visitors ages 12 and older are required to undergo rapid Point of Care (POC) testing for COVID-19, and receive a negative result before being allowed to visit the facility. Visits for end-of-life care and support are exempted from rapid POC testing due to the sensitivity of the visit.
• When visiting a resident requiring additional precautions due to illness (i.e. COVID-19), you will be trained and directed by the facility entrance staff to put on additional personal protective equipment; this measure is required to reduce the potential spreading of the virus or infection your loved one may have
• You may not be able to visit if you're unable to adhere to appropriate precautions, such as physical distancing from other residents or not remaining with your loved one and moving about in the facility