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Some long-term and personal care homes in the Regina area won’t be relaxing visitation restrictions Thursday when others around the province will be welcoming visitors.
In a media release Wednesday, the Ministry of Health said limitations at care homes in Regina, Emerald Park, Lumsden and Cupar are to remain at Level 3 — when two family members or support people can be present at the same time for end of life care only, or when one essential family member or support person can assist with care if needed.
The government said the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 in those centres was an issue that hindered their reopening.
The list of 36 long-term care homes operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority that are eligible for family visitation as of Thursday can be seen below. Families of people living in personal care homes are advised to contact those homes to see if they can visit loved ones.
The government also clarified some details surrounding the homes’ reopening.
Those that are allowed to accept visitors starting Thursday have met the necessary criteria: 90 per cent of residents have been fully vaccinated, three weeks have elapsed since second doses were completed, and the local COVID-19 situation (such as community transmission and cases within a facility) is under control.
On Wednesday, the government amended the rules for those care homes that have fewer residents and therefore can’t meet the 90 per cent threshold if even one resident hasn’t been vaccinated.
“There will be flexibility for long-term and personal care homes with fewer than 10 residents,” the government said in its release. “In homes with 10 or fewer residents, all but one resident must be fully vaccinated (both doses).
“In all cases, before visitor restrictions can be amended, at least three weeks must have passed since the last second doses were received.”
If the proper conditions are met, people will be allowed to visit two at a time in indoor settings, while up to four family members or support people can visit residents outdoors.
Residents who are fully vaccinated and who go on outings won’t have to quarantine upon returning to their homes.
Residents who aren’t vaccinated can have visits from family members or support people who are fully vaccinated. If they’re not vaccinated, visits will be permitted for compassionate care reasons only.
Those who visit people in homes will still have to follow public health guidelines regarding wearing masks, practising physical distancing and hand hygiene, and undergoing routine testing and temperature screening.
If a resident leaves a care home, they’ll still have to follow current public health measures regarding indoor and outdoor gatherings.
More details on visitation can be found here.