COVID-19 guidelines for long term care facilities are now mandatory directives.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang issued the order at a press conference Monday.
Dr. Strang said the guidelines were already to a high standard, and this just makes them mandatory.
“We now feel that we need to move this from a guideline that facilities are being asked to do to actually make it a very clear directive,” he said. “That is an expectation that all these long-term care facilities are required to take these steps to maximize the safety of their residents and to protect their healthcare workers.”
Dr. Strang said nursing home staff have been doing a good job, but this adds an extra layer of protection for them and residents.
He said the institutions must conduct daily COVID-19 screenings on staff and residents, full screenings of new arrivals, and must report any respiratory illness to public health.
31 new cases were announced today for a total of 293 province wide; 27 of which are in the eastern zone.
