People will be able to soon visit with their loved ones living in long-term or personal care homes again.
On May 30th, the province will ease visiting restrictions. People living in these homes can have an unlimited number of different visitors, provided they keep it to two per visit indoors and four per visit outdoors.
This date was chosen as it corresponds with Phase One of the rest of the province re-opening as well. On that day, three weeks will have passed since 70 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population over 40 got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Also May 30th, all care home residents who go on outings will no longer be required to quarantine upon their return but should continue following health guidelines while they’re out, including current restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings, while away from the home.
People visiting need to follow the public health rules, and this includes masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, temperature screening, and may be offered an optional rapid antigen test.
Until the May 30th threshold, visits will only be allowed for compassionate care, except for homes where 90 per cent of residents have been fully vaccinated and three weeks have elapsed since the last second dose vaccinations.
The next Phase of Saskatchewan’s re-opening will allow for four visitors at a time indoors and nine visitors at a time outdoors, and is set for mid-June, provided vaccination numbers keep up headed into the next tier.
The third step is still being developed by medical officials and the Chief Medical Health Officer of Saskatchewan and is expected closer to the middle of July.
There are 252 personal care homes, 151 long-term care homes and eight other healthcare facilities that accommodate long-term care beds in Saskatchewan.