Update:
Premier Doug Ford announced today that the province would commence a 'cautious restart' to visits to long-term care homes, retirement homes, group homes, and other congregate living homes.
Visits have been prohibited to homes since early March.
Expanded visitor opportunities will be available in homes without outbreaks starting next week, on June 18, according to Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton.
Guidelines are as follows:
- For long-term care homes: One visitor per resident, per week, outdoor only.
- For retirement homes: Outdoor and indoor visits, number of visitors up to discretion of home.
- For homes for people with developmental disabilities: Two visitors per resident, outdoors only.
- For shelters and children's residential settings: Two visitors per resident, outdoors only.
Visitors must have tested negative in the last two weeks, sanitize hands, get screened upon arrival, stay in designated areas, maintain physical distancing, and wear a mask.
Original story:
Premier Doug Ford is slated to update Ontarians on the COVID-19 situation at 1:00 p.m. at Queen's Park today.
He will be joined by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, and Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, to make the announcement.
Today's public appearance comes after both Ford and Elliot were tested for COVID-19. Both results have come back negative. Ford and Elliot were tested due to the fact that Education Minister Stephen Lecce, who had a news conference with the two on Tuesday, had recently come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. Lecce's test also came back negative.
Village Media will carry the livestream, so stay tuned.
