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February 16, 2022 – Update by the provincial government regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

Here is a status report on the recent decisions and actions of the provincial government in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Easing of health measures

Marguerite Blais, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Informal Caregivers, and Dr. Luc Boileau, Acting National Director of Pubic Health, announced new easing of the health measures in senior living environments.

“I am pleased to announce easing of the measures in our living environments.  The improvement of the situation now allows easing of several measures.  The isolation instructions, in particular, will be simplified and will gradually allow a return to normal for the residents and users,” Marguerite Blais pointed out.

Measures announced:

Effective February 21, in private seniors’ residences (PSA): 

  • It is suggested to limit visits to a maximum of 10 people.
  • In the dining rooms, 10 residents may be seated at the same table with a minimum distance of one metre between tables.
  • Access to the common areas for informal caregivers and visitors will be allowed in compliance with the health instructions in force.

Effective February 28, in the residential and long-term care centres  (CHSLD) and intermediate resources (IR) that accommodate seniors:

  • It is suggested to limit visits to a maximum of 10 people.
  • In the dining rooms, 10 residents or users may be seated at the same table with a minimum distance of one metre between tables.
  • Access to the common areas for informal caregivers and visitors will be allowed in compliance with the health instructions in force.

Isolation and testing measures for management of cases and contacts 

From now on, the Directive concernant la gestion des cas et des contacts dans les milieux de vie, réadaptation et d’hébergement (Directive concerning management of cases and contacts in living, rehabilitation and residential environments) will prefer a risk management approach based on several factors determining whether a person had close contact:

  • A close contact is defined, in particular, as a user who stayed the same environment (distance of less than two metres and without barrier measures) as a confirmed COVID-19 case, during that case’s period of contagion.

OR

  • A user who has received care within two metres, for a cumulative period of 10 minutes or more, from a healthcare worker confirmed positive for COVID-19, who did not adequately wear personal protective equipment during his or her period of contagion.

For a user or a resident who was in close contact (in a care environment or after high-risk exposure in a community) and who is asymptomatic and adequately vaccinated:

  • Reduction of the five-day isolation period.
  • Isolation will be followed by a five-day period with mask wearing and maintenance of physical distancing.

For a user or a resident who was in close contact (in a care environment or after high-risk exposure in a community) and who is asymptomatic but not adequately vaccinated:

  • 10-day isolation period;
  • Measures deployed in the environment to prevent deconditioning of the user or the resident.