Family presence/visitor restrictions for SHA long term care homes in integrated rural health moving to Level 1

Posted on 5 January 2022 by Prairie Post

Beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) Long Term Care (LTC) homes and Affiliates in Integrated Rural Health (South West, South Central, South East) will move to Level 1 for Family Presence Restrictions due to increased community transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. This 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. All homes will return to Recovery Phase family presence as soon as possible. Current family presence restrictions for LTC Homes can be found here.

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.
• Two essential family/support persons can be present at the same time in these areas; end-of-life or palliative care.

Reminder that 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 (a list of places to get this test is available on the Government of Saskatchewan websiteOpens in new window). 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.

Protect yourself today!

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is strongly encouraging all Saskatchewan residents 5 years of age and older to be immunized with both doses and a booster dose when eligible to do so. COVID -19 variants are continuing to develop and spread, and are more transmissible than the initial COVID-19 virus. Vaccines and booster doses are proving to be effective in protecting individuals from serious illness against these variants, and high vaccination rates in our province will help curb the spread.

Visit a participating pharmacy in your neighborhood, one of our pop-up clinics, or book an appointment on-lineOpens in new window to be immunized.

For more information on COVID-19, including vaccinations, please visit saskatchewan.ca/COVID19Opens in new window.