Long-term care home workers in the Vancouver Coastal Health region will no longer be allowed to work at multiple facilities, the health authority said Saturday.
The change is one of several directives in a public health order issued by medical health officer Dr. Althea Hayden to protect seniors and limit the spread of COVID-19 in care homes.
Physicians, paramedics and laboratory technicians will be exempt from the restriction.
The order, which will go into effect within three days and will remain in place “until further notice,” also requires facilities to deny access to all visitors except family and spiritual advisors of residents “who are clinically assessed to be at the end of their lives.”
In addition, residents will only be allowed to be transferred between facilities if the transfer is approved by a medical health officer. Facilities will also be required to carry out enhanced cleaning of all rooms and common areas, and enhanced screening of staff.
All group social activities will be cancelled or postponed indefinitely under the order, which was issued through powers granted under B.C.’s Public Health Act.
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