CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE – November 9, 2020 – Changes to Family Visits Required Guidelines

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE – Changes to Family Visits Required 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. Once again we are faced with changes to the current visitor practices.

As you are aware, the Region of Peel is currently in the red zone (CONTROL-Stringent measures). In addition, the Medical Officer of Health, Peel Public Health has imposed enhanced public health measures in Peel Region. Community Living Mississauga continues to make the people we support and all employees a priority and as a result will be implementing the following changes.

Effective Tuesday November 10, 2020, visits to the home of a person receiving support will no longer be arranged. At this time, Community Living Mississauga will only facilitate visits away from a person’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 once again. However, visits will only be planned for in local outdoor public spaces at this time.

These measures will remain in effect until further notice and will be re-evaluated every 14 days as we continue to review the evolving situation.

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:

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 family member 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 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 family member 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 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 as outlined in this document and posted on Community Living Mississauga’s website and if you are willing to follow these expectations. If you are not willing or able to do so 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)
It is preferred that there is no exchange of food or gifts between visitors, your family member/friend and/or support staff. If absolutely necessary, any items that are exchanged 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.