CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE – JUNE 15, 2020

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Family Visits Guidelines

Community Living Mississauga would like to acknowledge the support and patience from everyone as we continue to navigate through the many restrictions imposed through this global pandemic. We are pleased to share that in keeping with the recent announcement by the Government of Ontario, we will once again be able to assist individuals and their families to see each other and be connected in person effective June 18, 2020.

In order to facilitate family visits, we have established expectations based on directives from the Government of Ontario, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. As we are sure you will understand these expectations have been put in place to ensure the ongoing health and safety of all.

At this time Community Living Mississauga will only facilitate visits away from an individual’s home. Visits will be arranged through support staff and take place in local outdoor public spaces such as parks. We will continue to monitor this practice and it is our hope that we will be able to facilitate visits closer to home (backyards) in the near future. However, visits will only be planned for in local outdoor public spaces at this time.

It is important to note that everyone is required to adhere to the following required expectations at all times. If this does not occur, the visit will be ended and may impact future visits until all restrictions have been lifted.

The following details outline Community Living Mississauga’s family visit requirements:

All visitors have a COVID-19 test within 14 days prior to a visit and must attest that the test was negative by signing a Community Living Mississauga confirmation document that will be part of the screening process prior to each visit.
There can be no more than 2 family members present for a visit.
We will do everything we can to ensure all visits can occur as planned however, there may be circumstances due to staffing or support requirements in the home where we will have to ask that you be flexible and work with the support staff to change or delay a visit.
The home where your son or daughter lives must have no active COVID-19 cases and all individuals who live at the home must be in good health. If anyone is ill no visits will occur.
A designated time and place to meet must be arranged with the support staff at the home. It will be expected that the place to meet will not be a crowded area. A less used park, location in the individual’s home community is preferred.
Your son or daughter will be accompanied by a support worker to the visit. The support worker will remain for the duration of the visit.
Prior to your visit you will be asked specific screening questions related to COVID-19 including but not limited to:
- Do you have one of the following symptoms: fever/and or onset of cough or difficulty breathing?
- OR do you have two of the following symptoms: chills, fatigue, headache, sore throat, runny nose, stuffy or congested nose, lost sense of taste or smell, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain)?
- Have you been in direct contact with anyone who has COVID-19?
- Have you recently traveled outside the province?
If any of the responses to these questions are yes the visit will be cancelled.
It is expected that everyone will wear a mask throughout the visit. We ask that families bring their own masks as masks will not be provided. Masks must be worn correctly, they should be secured properly, covering nose, mouth and chin area at all times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qilLP_UnaHg
Social distancing is required, maintain a minimum of 2 metres (6 feet) physical distance from your son or daughter and support staff as well as members of the pubic at all times. You must refrain from hugs, etc. Practice social distancing at all times and assist your son or daughter to do the same. During the visit if anyone is not able to maintain social distancing the visit will have to end.
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette practices must be followed prior to and during the visit. Wash hands regularly. Sneeze and cough into your sleeve. If you use a tissue, discard immediately and wash/sanitize your hands afterwards. Avoid high-touch areas, where possible, or ensure you clean your hands after.
Support staff will also be required to sanitize any public chairs/table that may be used prior to use.
Visits will be limited in time (no less than half hour and no more than one hour)
There should be no exchange of items or gifts between family member, individual and/or support staff.
Any non-adherence to these expectations will be the basis for the discontinuation of visits.