June 29, 2021
Hello, everyone.
Let me begin by sharing that there are no outbreaks at any Seasons Retirement Community at this time.
Ontario
The Ontario government announced that most of the province would be entering Phase 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen earlier than expected, on June 30, 2021. This is excellent news, as it is an indicator that as more people gain access to vaccines, COVID-19 cases and positivity rates are dropping.
While the retirement sector is poised to move forward, we are required to follow the direction of the provincial government, our sector regulator, and local Public Health agencies. The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) has updated its Scenario Matrix: Retirement Home COVID-19 Visiting Policy, which outlines rules for visitation, absences and gatherings.
Alberta
The Alberta government announced that we will be moving into Phase 3 of the Open for Summer Plan, effective July 1, 2021. This is excellent news, as it is an indicator that as more people gain access to vaccines, COVID-19 cases and positivity rates are dropping.
While the retirement sector is poised to move forward, we are required to follow the direction of the provincial government, Alberta Health Services, and local Public Health agencies. A public notice from Alberta Health states that “Alberta’s move to Stage 3 of the Open for Summer Plan on July 1 does not change requirements in the existing Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Orders specific to licensed supportive living, long-term care and hospice settings that operators must adhere to. Stage 3 will impact activities off-site, but existing on-site restrictions will remain in place until the planned approach for lifting of these sector-specific restrictions is approved and rolled out.”
Ontario and Alberta
The government is beginning to change permissions related to certain restrictions by considering vaccination rates within the retirement home sector. They are extending parameters in areas such as visitations, social gatherings, outings and communal dining. We welcome the opportunity to evolve our daily operations to accommodate these changes, as we believe these changes are critical to our residents’ wellbeing.
Given that we are serving a vulnerable population, changes in retirement communities may not come as quickly as those in the general public. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we take out time to get there, safely. A reminder that vaccination is a key indicator to our resident and team members’ health and safety. If you have not yet received a vaccine, you can visit these links to book your appointment in Ontario and Alberta.
Thank you to our team members, residents and families for continuing to be cautious and following our enhanced infection prevention and control protocols. The collective health of our retirement community members relies on your cooperation.
Canada Day is this week; I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable day, and all the best for a healthy summer ahead.
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