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The Saskatchewan Health Authority is to begin relaxing visitation restrictions at most of its long-term care homes in the province on Monday.
At 8 a.m., SHA long-term care homes will start easing COVID-related visitation rules and move to what the authority called “open family presence.” However, a few homes are to keep enhanced precautions in place by order of local medical health officers.
A list of the long-term care homes and their visitation levels as of this past Tuesday can be found here.
Open family presence means there aren’t any limits to the number of family members, support people or visitors who can be visit a resident at one time.
Masks will be required in common areas, but won’t be required in residents’ rooms unless the resident has COVID.
Residents also will be able to leave the home for visits in the community.
SHA guidelines for screening, personal protective equipment and distancing must be followed, even if the visitors are vaccinated.
“This return to pre-pandemic family presence protocols provides the opportunity for all residents to welcome more family and visitors,” the SHA said in a media release Friday.
“Family members/support people are essential to the well-being and care of residents, and the SHA has remained committed to allowing as much family presence as safely possible throughout the pandemic.
“In light of the removal of Public Health Orders effective Feb. 28, policies and guidelines, including outbreak management and infection prevention and control, will reflect the transition to Living with COVID while also ensuring the ongoing safety of our long-term care residents.”
On Monday at 12:01 a.m., the last COVID-related public health orders in Saskatchewan are to be lifted.
The SHA said outbreaks in long-term care homes will be managed on a case-by-case basis, with a commitment to keeping family visitation in place.
“This approach is more closely aligned to outbreak management for other communicable diseases,” the SHA’s release said. “Homes will continue to maintain safety protocols, and processes will remain in place for enhanced protocols when necessary (for example, if an outbreak is declared).”
According to the weekly epidemiological report issued Thursday by the Ministry of Health, there were seven COVID outbreaks reported in personal and long-term care homes during the week of Feb. 13-19 — down from 22 the week before.
While the rules are changing at long-term care homes, they’re staying the same at hospitals.
Family presence in acute-care facilities will stay at Level 1, meaning every patient can have only two designated essential family members or support people as visitors. Only one person can visit at a time.
