Shared Health to ease restrictions for visitors at health-care facilities

Up to four caregivers can visit patients at health-care facilities in Manitoba starting Thursday, Shared Health announced.

Designated caregivers, who are individuals involved in the day-to-day care and support of patients, residents, or clients will also no longer be required to wear eye protection during visits and while providing care or support to their loved one.

At emergency departments and urgent care centres as well as some diagnostic services, two designated caregivers can accompany patients. That is dependent on the discretion of the site or operator based on available space.

One designated caregiver may attend some cancer appointments, including radiation therapy starting Thursday. Access to chemotherapy will remain restricted, Shared Health says.

While indoor masking rules remain in place at health-care facilities, medical masks are no longer required to be worn during outdoor visits.

Other changes include more access for social visitors and newly admitted personal care home residents will be required to quarantine — rather than isolate — for 10 days, which allows them to leave their room during this period as long as they wear a mask and/or maintain physical distance. Some activities at long-term care facilities can also return, such as singing.

Shared Health says these changes come from evidence showing lower transmission levels of COVID-19. This has been reflected by a decrease in staff sick time, a reduction in the number of in-facility outbreaks and a drop in COVID hospitalization rates.

Shared Health says that facility operators have been provided with guidelines to support increased access for designated caregivers and general visitors across the province. Access to individual units or facilities may vary at the discretion of the care team based on the location of the visit.