Type of Intervention: Guidance
Sectors Involved: Health, Long-Term Care
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Special populations
Level of Jurisdiction: Ontario
Lead People/Agency: – Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, CMOH Dr. David Williams
Overview: The Ontario government has announced that long-term care home residents can return to enjoying short-stay and temporary absences, including day and overnight trips. With day trips, upon return to the long-term care home, residents shall be actively screened, but are not required to be tested or self-isolate. However, overnight absences will be at the discretion of the individual home and decided on a case-by-case basis on safety factors such as risk associated with the absence and the ability of the home to help the resident self-isolate upon their return. Those who leave on overnight/temporary absences will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.
Full details here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/58181/safe-outings-now-possible-for-long-term-care-home-residents
Other links: 1
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group
Evidence/Justification: The decision to allow safe outings for long-term care residents was made on the advice of the CMOH. It is explained that this decision and other directions on safety in long-term care settings will continue to be updated as the situation evolves in Ontario. The government explains that efforts to support safety and emotional wellbeing of long-term care residents are continuous.