Fully Vaccinated LTC Residents In Ontario Are Finally Allowed To Hug Their Carers Again
Indoor events at care homes have also been okayed by the province.
It might be the best news for Ontario's seniors in a full year — it's time to hug again.
According to a statement from the province, vaccination rates are now at the point where long-term care homes in Ontario can resume activities like communal dining, indoor events and gatherings, and hugs — with some caveats.
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Ontario's new directive allows fully vaccinated long-term care residents and their fully vaccinated caregivers to have "close physical contact" beyond what is required for caregiving — "such as hugging," the province says.
Masks are still required when residents aren't eating in a communal space, and residents must still physically distance whenever they're gathered in a room for events.
"The high vaccination uptake in long-term care homes means we can take further steps towards bringing social interactions back — supporting the mental and emotional well-being of residents while protecting their physical well-being," said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario's minister of long-term care, in the statement.