The Saskatchewan government is easing restrictions on visitation guidelines for long-term care homes.
Starting July 7, family members of residents in acute, long-term care, personal care and group homes will be able to visit under new guidelines.
Two family members or support persons can be identified as designated visitors and only one can be present at the facility at a time. There is an exception with two people allowed if physical distancing can be maintained in these situations:
- Critical care/intensive care patients
- End of life/palliative care patients or residents
- Maternal Services Units (Maternal and postpartum units, neonatal intensive care units, pediatric intensive care units, pediatric units)
Additional family members may be allowed for end of life, palliative and intensive or critical care following the SHA Family Presence Guidelines.
Family must follow safety requirements which include wearing a medical grade mask, physical distancing, hand hygiene and limiting movement within the facility. They will also need to call the facility to schedule a visit before coming to the facility.
Health Minister Jim Reiter says they made several changes early in the pandemic to protect the most at-risk population.
“As we see more of our economy re-opening and additional health services resuming, we will take the same careful, safe approach to expanding family presence guidelines and ensuring that our loved ones in care continue to be protected remains our number one priority, while supporting the mental and emotional well-being of those in care.”
The guidelines will apply to patients, outpatients, clients and residents in SHA facilities, long-term care homes and affiliate organizations, personal care homes, and Ministry of Social Services Group Homes.
Settings that require additional time to ensure adequate supplies of PPE, appropriate and safe visitation spaces, and health screening of visitors may take until July 13 to fully implement the new guidelines.