The B.C. government is allowing more regular visits into long-term care homes and assisted living homes starting April 1.

Up to two adults and one child will be able to visit loved ones in care homes, and care home staff will have to allow a minimum time of at least one hour for visits. Masks will have to be worn at all times by care home residents and visitors.

Staff in care homes also will no longer have to monitor those visits. Furthermore, care home residents can now also go on outings without needing to quarantine for two weeks when they return, and residents no longer need to maintain social distancing at all times from one another.

This means no more designated visitor rule in care homes, which has been in place since June 30, 2020.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry acknowledges there may be concerns from the public, about this seemingly be an easing of restrictions while COVID-19 cases are rising in many parts of the province.

“It’s not about easing restrictions, as much as recognizing that in this phase of the pandemic is focusing on things we can do safely,” Henry says.

This is such welcome news! BC’s long-term care and assisted living residents can finally have regular routine visits with their loved ones in the care home. A year-long separation from family and friends has been very challenging for everyone.

BC Care Providers Vice President of Public Affairs, Mike Klassen, says he welcome this news from the province.

“B.C.’s long-term care and assisted living residents can finally have regular routine visits with their loved ones in the care home” Klassen says. “A year-long separation from family and friends has been very challenging for everyone.”

Visits will continue to restricted in care homes with an active virus outbreak. As of this afternoon, Health Minister Adrian Dix says there are only three remaining COVID-19 outbreaks in care facilities in the province, including two in long-term care and one in an assisted living facility.

More to come.