Alberta to ease restrictions for long-term care facilities

Jul 16, 2020 | 4:24 PM

EDMONTON, AB– In Alberta’s July 16 COVID announcement, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said the province will ease the restrictions at long-term care facilities.

Starting July 23rd, Alberta will shift from restricted access to safe access into long-term care homes.

Hinshaw says this “safe access” plan will allow people to visit their families while remaining safe compared to the previous policy.

“Under the previous restricted policy, a resident could have only one designated family or support person spend time with them indoors.

Hinshaw says even though care homes will allow more visitors, it’s still vital to remember who could be in danger the most.

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“To date 119 of 165 deaths in Alberta have been residents in these facilities.”

The new policy will allow two support individuals to be able to enter the facility when it is allowed and will be allowed to visit for as long as they would like.

Hinshaw adds that each facility is quite different, therefore it will have to decide what’s right for that facility.

“Anyone who wishes, can visit a loved one in a continuing care and the facility can facilitate more options for visits by strictly following public health measures in their day to day life.”

Hinshaw says that in order to see loved ones, following the health measures outside of care homes is crucial.

by Connor Gunn