Updated Requirements for Visitation

On October 6th 2021 the Provincial Health Officer and the Ministry of Health announced updated requirements for visitation in long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities. In recognition of the added layer of protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccines and given the vulnerability of residents in long-term care and seniors assisted living even when fully immunized themselves, all visitors (both essential and social visitors) are now required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, excluding children under 12 years or those with an approved medical exemption.  As a campus of care, these requirements extend to all of our buildings, including Independent Living apartments. Proof of vaccination (e.g. BC Vaccine Card or equivalent) is required prior to entering or passing through the facility.

To support these changes, the policy document Overview of Visitors in Long-Term Care and Seniors ‘Assisted Living is being updated (and will be posted imminently) to include the requirement for all visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Effective October 12, 2021:

Visitors who do not demonstrate that they are either partially or fully vaccinated will not be able to enter a facility (excluding children under 12 years or those with an approved medical exemption);

Visitors are required to show proof of vaccination prior to entry, including if only to pass through the facility to access an outdoor space;

Visitors are required to show photo identification prior to entry;

Visitors must adhere to the following measures until they are confirmed as fully vaccinated

• Wear a medical mask for the duration of the visit
• Undergo rapid testing at the point of entry to the facility (excluding those under 12 years)

If the rapid test result is positive, the visitor must not enter the facility and should go immediately to 32470 Haida Drive, Building 1, Abbotsford to have a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test through public health.

All visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask for the duration of their visit.

Effective November 30, 2021: ·

Visitors must demonstrate they are fully vaccinated to enter a facility (excluding children under 12 years or those with an approved medical exemption)

Other types of visits:

• A window visit may be arranged through the nurse on the unit. This must be pre-booked to ensure that there is a member of the care team who can accommodate this type of visit.
• You may arrange a Zoom call with your loved one – MENNO HOME | MENNO HOSPITAL
• Send a Message Of Love (email with attachments that is printed and delivered) – CLICK HERE

Are residents permitted on outings with unvaccinated loved ones?

We do not know if residents will be permitted to go on outings with unvaccinated visitors.

We thank you for your cooperation in this. If you are upset about this change, please continue to treat our Visitation Hosts, receptionists, nurses, managers, and other staff with kindness and respect.  They did not make this decision and do not deserve to be berated for it.

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How do you express your disagreement with this Provincial Health Order?

If you need to speak to someone about the policy and speak passionately about your views, we advise you to contact Dr. Bonnie Henry and the Provincial Health Office:

Dr. Bonnie Henry
Email: bonnie.henry@gov.bc.ca
Provincial Health Officer
PO Box 9648
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9P4

You can also contact Isobel McKenzie, Seniors Advocate: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/contact-us/

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Definitions: (Reference: PHO Order, October 4, 2021)

“photo identification” means one of the following:
a. a photo BC Services Card within the meaning of the Identification Card regulation;
b. a temporary or permanent driver’s licence, issued by a government of a province of Canada;
c. a certificate of Indian Status;
d. a Métis Nation British Columbia citizenship and identification card;
e. a passport attesting to citizenship or other national status, issued by a government of any
jurisdiction and including a photograph of the holder;

“proof of vaccination” means by providing a vaccine card;

“vaccine card” means the following:
a. in the case of a person who is more than 18 years of age, photo identification and proof in one
of the following forms that the holder is vaccinated:
i. electronic proof or a printed copy of an electronic proof
(A) issued by the government in the form of a QR code, accessible through the “BC
Services Card” electronic online platform, and
(B) showing the name of the holder;
ii. proof in writing, issued by the government for the purpose of showing proof of
vaccination in accordance with orders made under the Public Health Act;
iii. a type of proof, whether electronic or in writing, that is issued
(A) by the government of Canada or of a province of Canada, and
(B) for the purpose of showing proof of vaccination in accordance with an order made
in the exercise of a statutory power with respect to the protection of public health or
the facilitation of international travel;
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b. in the case of a person who is 12 to 18 years of age, proof in a form referred to in paragraph a.
(i), (ii) or (iii).

“unvaccinated” means that a person does not meet the definition of “vaccinated”;

“vaccinated” means a person who is at least 7 days post-receipt of the full series of a World Health Organization (“WHO”) approved vaccine against infection by SARS-CoV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines (Ref: Order of the Provincial Health Officer, Residential Care COVID-19 Preventive Measures, Oct. 4, 2021)