ESTEVAN - Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) long-term care (LTC) homes and affiliates in integrated rural health in southeast, south central and southwest Saskatchewan will move to Level 1 for family presence restrictions, starting Jan. 6 at 4 p.m.
This is due to increased community transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The measure will be reviewed in two weeks and Level 1 restriction will only be maintained if the outcomes of Omicron in LTC warrant it at that time.
The SHA says all homes will return to recovery phase family presence as soon as possible.
Level 1 means that:
- Each resident can designate two consistent essential family/support persons. One person can be present at a time indoors;
- No limit on persons present at a time outdoors;
- More than two essential family/support persons can be designated for patients in these areas: end-of-life or palliative care; and
- Two essential family/support persons can be present at the same time in these areas; end-of-life or palliative care.
Proof of vaccination for family/support person(s) and visitors is now required.
Anyone entering a long-term care home (including affiliates) needs to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result taken within the last 72 hours. You will also need one piece of photo ID or two pieces of non-photo ID.
In the event there is no option for a vaccinated essential family/support person, one essential support person can be exempt from showing proof of a negative test from a third-party provider. The one person exempt from showing a negative test will need to show exemption proof provided from the long-term care home. This exemption is not for general visitors.
