Thank you all for your ongoing patience and support in meeting the restrictions regarding family visits since the most recent lock down in the province. Ontario has announced a three-step plan to reopen the province starting with outdoor recreational amenities, as it gradually prepares to ease pandemic restrictions. Outdoor limits for social gatherings and organized public events will be expanded on Saturday May 22nd, for up to five people. We are pleased to announce that, we too will once again be welcoming you to visit your family member in the backyard of their home and will support people to enjoy backyard visits with up to 2 close friends/family effective Saturday, May 22nd, 2021.

All of these visits will continue to require that the directives previously established are still met as well as some additional requirements recently established by the Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services.

As previously communicated these directives have been established 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.

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

  • There can be no more than 2 family members present or 2 friends 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 visitors be flexible and work with the support staff to change or delay a visit. We may also have to limit visits to once per week in order to accommodate all people and their families.
  • The home where your son or daughter 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.
  • A designated time for the visit must be arranged with the support staff at the home.
  • Your son or daughter will be supported for the duration of all visits by a support worker.
  • Prior to a visit, the visitor(s) 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 Canada or the province?
    • 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 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 you will also 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?
  • Again if you respond no to these questions the visit will be cancelled.
  • It is now expected that everyone will wear a surgical mask and face shield provided by Community Living Mississauga during visits. These will be provided when you arrive for your visit.

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-maskeyes-on

  • Social distancing is required, visitors must maintain a minimum of 2 metres (6 feet) physical distance from the family member and support staff at all times. Visitors must refrain from hugs, etc. Everyone must practice social distancing at all times and assist the person 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 chairs/table that may be used prior to use and after the visit.
  • Visitors will be required to call the home when they arrive for a planned visit to advise their family member and support worker that they have arrived. They will then be asked to make their way to the backyard.
  • Visitors will be required to enter the backyard from the outside.
  • Visitors will not be permitted to have access to the inside of the home at any time during the visit.
  • Once visitors have arrived and are settled into the designated seating in the backyard the family member will be supported to come out to the backyard to visit.  Social distancing will be required at all times.
  • 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 visitors, the person supported and/or support staff.
  • Any non-adherence to these expectations will be the basis for the discontinuation of visits.

We know these requirements continue to be abundantly cautious however we must continue to proceed carefully and slowly to ensure the well-being of everyone!

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.