Ministry of Long-Term Care Pandemic Response Update

We have received notification from the Ministry regarding some significant changes that will be taking place starting the morning of Friday, March 31, 2023.

• I would like to take this opportunity to thank the screeners that have stuck with us through the last few years.
• Visitors must continue to sign in using the iPads when entering the home and out, as per legislative. In accordance with section 267(2) of O. Reg. 246/22, homes must maintain visitor logs of all visits to the home. The visitor log must include, at a minimum:
• The name and contact information of the visitor
• Time and date of the visit
• The purpose of the visit (example, name of the resident visited);
• We will have the screeners here to assist with guiding everyone with this new process over the next week or so.

Below is the information from the Ministry:

The first phase involves winding down measures for those living or working in LTC that are no longer appropriate or necessary. To give LTC homes time to communicate and implement these changes, the following changes will come into effect on March 31, 2023:

• Asymptomatic Screen Testing: With the widespread availability of vaccines and antivirals, adherence to the new Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard, and the high levels of immunity in the general community, there is no evidence to support the need for ongoing asymptomatic screen-testing requirements. As such, the ministry will no longer require asymptomatic screen testing for staff, students, volunteers, support workers, caregivers, and visitors. In addition, the ministry will no longer require homes to collect and maintain statistical information of asymptomatic screen testing. While LTC homes still have the option to implement their own asymptomatic screen-testing policies, it is not recommended at this time. Free rapid antigen tests will remain available until June 2023.
• Outdoor Masking: The ministry is removing the recommendation for residents, caregivers, and visitors to mask outdoors. Masking will remain in place for staff outdoors when in close proximity to a resident for the time being and all indoor masking requirements will remain in place at this time.
• Resident Screening and Daily Temperature Checks: LTC homes will continue to be required to monitor residents daily to detect the presence of infection, including COVID-19, per section 3 of the IPAC Standard. However, measures which go beyond what is required under the IPAC Standard, including daily temperature checks for COVID-19, will no longer be required. Please refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes, and Other Congregate Living Settings for Public Health Units for any additional screening practices, including temperature checks for any resident who is symptomatic, has tested positive or has been exposed to COVID-19. Further, homes will no longer be required to actively screen residents returning from an absence.
• Visitor Screening: While passive screening requirements for staff, visitors, and caregivers continue, the active screening recommendation for visitors and caregivers will be removed. LTC homes should continue to promote self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory or infectious diseases to prevent the spread of illness in LTC homes and ensure appropriate signage is in place.
• Visitors During Outbreaks: The limit of one caregiver at a time during a COVID-19 outbreak, or when a resident is symptomatic or isolating under Additional Precautions, will be removed. During an outbreak, LTC homes continue to be subject to public health unit (PHU) direction per the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes, and Other Congregate Living Settings for Public Health Units.
• Activities / Physical Distancing: As continuity of social and physical activities is essential to the mental health and well-being of residents, LTC homes will be able to hold activities without adjusting to optimize for physical distancing. LTC homes, with guidance from PHUs, are best positioned to structure activities based on staff capacity and their individual LTC home and resident populations.
• COVID-19 Vaccination: Thanks to the sector’s collaborative efforts, as of March 14, 2023, 78.4% of eligible residents have received the fall bivalent COVID-19 booster. The risk of severe outcomes to residents has significantly decreased due to the high level of vaccine uptake, the availability of safe and effective antivirals, and high immunity in the general community. LTC homes that have retained their proof-of-vaccination requirements are strongly recommended to revisit their policies, with consideration to the current context of the pandemic and the Residents’ Bill of Rights, including the residents’ right to receive visitors of their choice. Specifically, while continuing to promote the uptake of boosters, homes are encouraged to consider permitting entry to visitors and qualified staff, regardless of their vaccination status. Licensees should engage with their residents’ council, family council, and local PHU to inform the review of their policies.
• COVID-19 Daily Outbreak Reporting: To reduce the reporting burden on long-term care homes, homes will no longer be required to submit daily COVID-19 outbreak data to the ministry. Homes continue to be required to report confirmed outbreaks using the Critical Incident System, as well as to report suspected or confirmed cases of diseases of public health significance or communicable diseases to their PHU as required under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
• COVID-19 guidance document for long-term care homes (EN)
• Pandemic Response FAQs (EN)
• What Residents Can Expect (EN)