Long Term Care homes will once again welcome visitors beginning Monday.<\/p>\n
Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang announced they were lifting some restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 among some of the province\u2019s most vulnerable population.<\/p>\n
Precautions will need to be taken and rules around social distancing will also need to followed.<\/p>\n
Premier McNeil urged Nova Scotians to be patient for just a little longer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know this is not exactly what you were hoping for, and we understand your craving for that long-awaited hug, we\u2019re not there yet. But sitting in the fresh air and a visit with your loved one is a good first step. And if we properly do this and keep everyone safe, we will be able to get that hug when the time is right.\u201d<\/p>\n
To keep residents and visitors safe, homes will need to ensure visits only take place outdoors with a maximum of two visitors at a time.<\/p>\n
Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 when they enter the facility and must wear a mask and maintain a distance of six feet from others.<\/p>\n
Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who are self-isolating will not be permitted to enter a facility.<\/p>\n
And all visitor information will be logged in order to track any potential outbreaks of the coronavirus.<\/p>\n
Dr. Strang says his department has set minimum guidelines for allowing visitors in to each facility, but it will be up to the individual long-term care homes if they choose to insist on stiffer restrictions for visitors.<\/p>\n
He says each facility will determine the best way to provide a safe visiting experience for the residents and their guests.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo again I ask Nova Scotians, I know they want to visit their relatives, we want you to be able to do this. But we need your patience for these facilities to be able to manage this on top of everything else they\u2019re doing to care for all of the loved-ones that are under their care in their facility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strang says the ability to further loosen restrictions will be determined by the data they gather before the end of the month.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t say it enough, the next two to three weeks are critically important to see what the impact of our first steps in recovery have been.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strang also announced he would be self-isolating for the next two weeks as he has to travel to New Brunswick to receive minor cancer treatment that is unavailable in Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n
He assured Nova Scotians he would continue working from home, studying the epidemiology and making plans for the summer and fall.<\/p>\n
Premier McNeil called Dr. Strang an essential service in Nova Scotia and his plan to self-isolate the ultimate example of practicing what you preach.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis decision to self isolate shows his integrity and how much he cares about the health and well-being of all Nova Scotians. Dr. Strang on behalf of all Nova Scotians, I want to wish you well.\u201d<\/p>\n
McNeil announced because Dr.Strang will be unavailable, the province would suspend the COVID-19 briefings for the next few weeks, but would continue to provide updates.<\/p>\n