Community Living Mississauga has been closely monitoring the restrictions that have been imposed as a result of the global pandemic. We completely acknowledge how difficult this has been for the people we support and their families. Consequently, we are pleased to share that in keeping with the recent announcement by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, people we support who had visited with their families or close personal friends will be able to resume these visits effective June 9, 2021. We ask for your indulgence in resuming these visits until June 10, 2021 to give us time to properly prepare. We are also pleased to share that as per new Ministry directives people we support & their visitors, regardless of vaccination status are now permitted to engage in brief physical contact (e.g. a hug) during visits.
We will also continue to support individuals to enjoy backyard visits with family and close personal family friends and encourage families to opt for this type of visit whenever possible to continue to mitigate risks or potential exposure to COVID-19. We will also be supporting people to enjoy additional experiences and activities within the community. At this time however, we will refrain from supporting individuals to host visits inside their home or to have overnight visits at a family member’s home. We will continue to review this decision and keep everyone informed of any future changes.
In order to facilitate short stay family visits, we have established the following expectations based on directives from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. We trust you will understand these expectations have been put in place to ensure the ongoing health and safety of all.
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 short stay family visit requirements:
- All families/friends will be screened prior to visits as per previous screening procedures.
- The person who receives support must pass an active screening questionnaire that screens for signs and symptoms of and potential exposures to COVID-19 every time they return home from a short stay visit. This is in addition to the twice daily screening already in place for people supported.
- The person must complete proper hand hygiene before leaving and entering their home. It is also expected that the person while visiting with family/friends will be supported with proper hand hygiene practices at all times after touching objects or surfaces that could be touched by others or after touching others.
- The person will be supported by family/friends during any visit to wear a surgical face mask and shield while indoors and when they are not able to practice social distancing (6 feet/2metres) when outdoors with others. As mentioned above brief physical contact (e.g. a hug) during visits are now permitted.
- The person will be supported by family/friends to avoid crowded indoor spaces and interactions with multiple people and surgical masks and face shields must be worn indoors except when eating, drinking.
- Families, friends and people who receive support will follow all current Public Health recommendations in regard to health & safety practices related to COVID-19.
- Please note that there may be extenuating circumstances due to individual risk factors that may require discussion in order to ensure and facilitate that everyone is able to follow safe practices during visits. These will be addressed with families and friends on an individual basis as required.
Guidelines for Visit Arrangements:
- The home where your family member / friend lives must have no active COVID-19 cases and all people who live at the home must be in good health. If anyone is ill no visits will occur.
- Families/friends will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire prior to picking up their family member/friend as identified below.
- 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 Canada or the province?
- If any of the responses to these questions are yes the visit will be cancelled.
- You will also be asked if you have reviewed the expectations of the visit and if you are willing to follow these expectations. If you are not willing or able to do so the visit will be cancelled.
- Additionally, since the last communication related to Short Stay visits you will be asked:
- Are you aware of the recommendations and restrictions in this community regarding gathering size, hand and respiratory hygiene and the use of face coverings and masks?
- Have you been consistently following these recommendations and restrictions?
- If you respond no to these questions the visit will be cancelled.
- As communicated previously in regard to backyard visits, it is also now expected that everyone will wear a surgical mask and face shield provided by Community Living Mississauga during short stay visits. These will be provided when you arrive for your visit.
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-maskeyes-on
- 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
- Masks and a face shield will also be provided to the person for personal use.
- A designated time for the visit must be arranged with the support staff at the home.
- Visitors will be required to call the home when they arrive for a planned visit to advise the person and support worker that they have arrived so the person can meet their family member at the front door. Families and friends will not be permitted inside the person’s home.
- It is preferred that the person does not return home with any food or gifts. Any items that are brought into the home should be boxed and sealed and given to support staff upon arrival who will be responsible for sanitizing items.
- Any non-adherence to these expectations will be the basis for the discontinuation of visits.
Please understand we must continue to proceed cautiously to ensure the well-being of everyone as we monitor and respond to the Province of Ontario’s reopening plan and the Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services directives.
We sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding and remain grateful for your ongoing support!
Please continue to visit www.clmiss.ca for the latest updates and information