COVID-19 Update: De-escalation of Measures in Ontario Retirement Homes

March 15, 2022

Hello everyone,

I am happy to share that the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA) and the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA) released additional directions today regarding the de-escalation of measures in retirement homes. These changes will be reflected immediately in Seasons communities in Ontario, provided the home is not in an outbreak.

Please find highlights below:

Visitors

Seasons is happy to announce that everyone can access our homes for indoor and/or outdoor visits with a loved one!

• Visitors are required to:
  • Schedule their visit in advance through Cubigo
  • Review all IPAC posters, links and videos on Cubigo at least monthly
  • Complete the Health Screening Questionnaire on Cubigo before entering the home
  • Wear their own surgical mask and physically distance the entire duration of their visit
  • Abide by additional PPE requests if visiting a resident who is unwell or in isolation
• Visitors are no longer required to participate in Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT).
• Visitors who have symptoms of COVID-19 tested positive for it or have had close contact with a confirmed case should reschedule the visit for ten days from the onset of symptoms or from receiving a positive test result or from the date of their last exposure (whichever is earlier).

Absences

• Short-Term Day Absence
  • Residents are no longer required to participate in Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) upon return unless exposed to a known COVID-19 case during their absence.

• Temporary Overnight Absence
  • Residents will be required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) upon return.

Social Gathering, Organized Events & Dining

Seasons is pleased to share that residents are no longer required to physically distance themselves from other residents when participating in social gatherings, organized events and dining! Capacity limits for programming have also been discontinued.

• The following precautions remain:
• Residents are still requested to wear a mask when outside of their suites.
• Participation in gatherings and events is not permitted for those who are isolating due to illness or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 unless they have tested negative and have been cleared from isolation.

Vaccination

Seasons’ COVID-19 vaccination policy remains in effect for all team members. We remain committed to ensuring our residents participate in any ongoing vaccination programs and encourage all visitors to do the same.

Asymptomatic Team Member Testing

Seasons will continue to support asymptomatic testing of team members no less than 2 x per week.

The details in this memo will usher in welcome changes after a very long and often frustrating time for all of you. I want to thank everyone for your patience and commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of our team members, residents and visitors. Let’s all follow the remaining protocols we have in place, so we can safely enjoy these well-deserved changes.

Sincerely,

LeighAnne Voll
Chief Operating Officer,
Seasons Retirement Communities

For additional online resources for COVID-19 you can visit the following sites:

Canada Health
Alberta Health
Alberta Health Services
Public Health Ontario
Retirement Home Regulatory Authority