Visiting during COVID-19

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Visiting during COVID-19

We look forward to seeing you at The Gardens! If you plan to visit, please note that certain pre-entry requirements may be in place, depending on current Toronto Public Health recommendations. 


Pandemic Visitor Policy

In March 2023, Ministry of Long-Term Care provided new guidelines designed to normalize and embed effective COVID-19 response measures into routine operations, including winding down COVID-specific policies. These changes will bring Ontario into alignment with other provinces across the country who have already made similar adjustments.

At Kensington Gardens, the health, safety and comfort of our residents and their guests remain our top priorities, and these changes will be implemented thoughtfully and carefully.

With the widespread availability of vaccines and antivirals, adherence to the new Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard, and the high levels of immunity in the general community, there is no evidence to support the need for ongoing asymptomatic screen-testing requirements. As such, asymptomatic screen-testing for staff, students, volunteers, support workers, caregivers and visitors is no longer recommended at this time.

Gardens visitors will no longer be asked to check-in at a screening desk and get tested on-site. Instead, they will be asked to self-assess before entering, using this list of questions.

If you answer NO to all four questions and pass your self-assessment, please sign in at the reception desk before continuing your visit. Please also note that indoor masking is still required for caregivers, visitors, and staff.

There are no limitations on the length or frequency of visits. There is no requirement to schedule a visit. For visits after 9:00 p.m., we ask that you inform the evening shift Nurse Manager before arriving, for security purposes.

For more information contact:  Bernadett Bondar, Infection Prevention and Control Program Lead 


Self-Screening: Next Steps

If you answered YES to question 1 or 2:

  • If 10 days are over since your symptoms began and you are symptom-free for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if nausea/vomiting/diarrhea):
    • You may enter the home.


  • If COVID-19 testing is available, you should get tested and seek treatment, if eligible. If you had symptoms and you tested negative for Covid-19 on PCR, and you are symptom free 24 hours (or 48 hours if nausea/vomiting/diarrhea): 
    • You may enter the home.   
              

If you answered YES to question 3:

  • If you test positive for COVID-19, you must not enter the Home for 10 days after developing symptoms or the date of COVID-19 testing, whichever is earlier/ applicable, and provided you are symptom-free for 24 hours (or 48 hours if nausea, vomiting or diarrhea). Follow the current Public health recommendation or any other directions that have been provided to you.


If you answered YES to question 4:

  • You should postpone non-essential visits for 10 days after last exposure to the individual with symptoms of COVID-19.


    A “close contact” is defined as an individual who has an exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case, an individual with COVID-19 symptoms, or an individual with a positive rapid antigen test result. You are considered a close contact if you were less than two metres away from the case/symptomatic person for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment in the 48 hours before the case’s symptoms began or their positive test result, whichever came first.


    You should follow the current Public health recommendation: Protection from COVID‑19 and other respiratory illnesses 




More About Essential Caregivers

To designate an essential caregiver, we ask that you complete this Essential Caregiver Request form and submit it to Kensington.

For questions about designating an essential caregiver, please contact us at bookingadmin@kensingtonhealth.org 

Please note: 

  • There is a limit of 4 essential caregivers per resident. 

  • Essential caregivers must be at least 16 years of age.  

  • Essential caregivers will be allowed to visit only one resident at a time if a unit is on Outbreak. 


Resources

We encourage you to read the resources below in advance of your visit.


Page last updated: May 18, 2023