Amica’s measures to protect against COVID-19

The health and well-being of our residents, families and team members are our foremost priorities. We have been taking safety measures since early 2020 to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus. At the forefront of all our decisions is the balance between our residents’ and team members’ safety and their overall physical and mental well-being.

Amica continues to monitor community trends in order to keep residents, families and team members apprised.

Following public health requirements

Amica leaders continue to partner with public health authorities to implement the latest safety measures and recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), provincial and local health authorities.

Protective measures by province

Ontario

Masking:

  • General Visitors and Personal Care Service Providers must wear a medical mask for indoor visits and should either bring their own mask or be provided one by the home. General Visitors are not required to wear a mask while outdoors.
  • Outside of a high-risk exposure, an outbreak, or direction from the PHU, masks are not required outdoors for staff, residents, students, volunteers, or visitors. However, outdoor masking is still recommended for staff, students, and volunteers as an added layer of protection when in close proximity to others.
  • There is no requirement for residents to wear a mask inside of the home.

Other protections:

  • From an occupational health and safety perspective, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status, appropriate eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) is required for all staff and Essential Visitors when providing care to residents with suspect or confirmed COVID-19 and in the provision of direct care within 2 metres of residents in an outbreak area. In all other circumstances, the use of eye protection is based on the point-of-care risk assessment when within 2 metres of a resident(s).
  • Anyone entering the retirement home is required to conduct passive screening, independently, prior to entry into the home. Active screening by the home is not required. For the most updated information related to Ontario please, visit: Ontario.

British Columbia

  • The province has lifted the universal masking requirement. Team members will be required to wear masks based on a resident point-of-care risk assessment. In practical terms, this means that prior to each close care service interaction with a resident, the likelihood of exposure to an infectious illness will be assessed by the wellness team. If there is a risk, the team member will wear a mask for their health and safety.
  • Visitors will not be required to wear masks while visiting long-term care and assisted living sites, unless specifically required based on a Point of Care Risk Assessment (assessment by a health care worker that masking is required based on the risks of infection, including a resident’s symptoms, the type of interaction with residents, and the environment).
  • Visitors will no longer be required to provide their vaccination status, and those who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 will be able to visit freely at long-term care and assisted living sites.
  • Visitors will no longer be required to undergo a rapid antigen test or confirm a recent negative rapid antigen test prior to visiting.
  • There will be no restrictions on gatherings, events or activities including visitors, indoors or outdoors, regardless of visitor vaccination status.
  • Active screening of visitors is no longer required (in favour of passive screening – signs and reminders not to visit when sick).