Ontario to ease visitor restrictions in long-term care homes

Ontario will begin to ease visitor restrictions at long-term care homes starting next week.

The province says it will be “cautiously and gradually” lifting temporary public health measures starting Monday.

The maximum number of designated caregivers per resident will increase from two to four and will continue to be subject to a limit of two per resident at one time. Residents who have had at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine will also be able to resume social day trips.

General visits from people five years and older who have had at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine will resume on Feb. 21. The number of visitors per resident at one time will also increase from two to three, including caregivers. At that time, all residents, regardless of vaccination status, will be able to resume social day trips, and residents who have had at least three vaccine doses will be able to go on overnight social absences.

The return of general visitors to homes will mean adult day programs can resume along with the return of entertainers and external personal care services in the homes.

Social group activities should remain small, with up to 10 individuals.

On March 14, kids under five can visit again, residents can have four visitors at a time, and all residents regardless of vaccination status can go on overnight absences.

The province says testing requirements for all staff, caregivers and visitors continue to be in place.

The government says it will closely monitor the situation in long-term care homes and continue to adjust measures as necessary to keep homes safe for residents and staff.