Visitor limits to lift at most LTC homes on Monday

The change will take effect at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 28.

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Visitor limits meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at most long-term care homes in Saskatchewan will lift as of Monday.

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The change to “open family presence” is effective at 8 a.m. on Feb. 28.

There will be no limits to the number of family members or visitors who can be present; visits can be made daily, and masks won’t be required in residents’ rooms unless the resident is COVID-19 positive and is on precautions. Masks will continue to be required in common areas.

As of Monday morning, residents of most long-term care homes will also be allowed to resume visits in the community outside the home.

A media release issued by the SHA on Friday said a small number of homes where enhanced precautions are deemed necessary by the local medical health officer are excepted.

A full list of long-term care homes and their level of restrictions is available on the SHA’s website.

The SHA said COVID-19 outbreaks will continue to be managed on a case-by-case basis, with a minimum of essential family presence and additional precautions being maintained.

More than half — 55 per cent — of SHA long-term care homes have moved to allowing additional family and visitors, as of Feb. 22.

In acute care facilities, each patient can have two designated essential family/support persons, and one person can visit at a time.

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