Table of contents

Alberta will begin lifting remaining restrictions in continuing care over 2 phases. Facility operators have until July 31 to fully implement all of Phase 1.

Overview

Public health orders are in effect to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, among seniors and at-risk groups for the following settings:

  • Hospice settings
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Licensed supportive living facilities, including seniors lodges and group homes
  • Licensed residential addiction treatment centres (under the Mental Health Services Protection Act)

Restrictions in licensed supportive living, long-term care and hospice settings

Phase 1

Effective July 13, Alberta is moving to ease remaining restrictions.

Restrictions will be eased in 2 phases. Phase 1 changes are effective as soon as operators are able to do so, but have until July 31 to implement all changes.

Visiting policy

  • The COVID-19 visiting policy has been rescinded and visitors will no longer be limited in number or conditions.
  • Follow the pre-pandemic visiting process of each site.
  • Visitors must continue to wear a mask in indoor common areas.
  • Masks may be removed in private rooms or spaces if the resident prefers.
  • Visitors who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks at all times in all areas of the building.

Operational and outbreak standards

The following restrictions remain in place to protect staff and residents from COVID-19:

  • Staff, students, volunteers and service providers must continue to wear masks.
  • Visitors must continue to wear masks in common areas.
  • Enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes must be followed.
  • Staff, students, service providers, volunteers and visitors must have a health assessment screening when entering the building.
    • Temperature screening is no longer required.
  • Testing requirements continue.
  • Situation specific isolation and quarantine requirements remain.
  • Outbreak procedures must be followed.
  • Single site staffing requirements.

All other COVID-19 restrictions and requirements have been removed.

Read Continuing Care Accommodation and Health Service Standards to learn more about existing, pre-pandemic requirements.

Phase 2

All remaining restrictions will be removed at a later date with a return to pre-pandemic processes and expectations. This includes outbreak protocols, testing requirements and rules around isolation and quarantine.

Updated operational and outbreak standards

Outbreak reporting

We publicly report locations of outbreaks in these facilities when there are 2 or more people with confirmed COVID-19. Find a list of COVID-19 outbreaks in Alberta, updated on Tuesday and Friday each week.

Residential addiction treatment centres

New standards are in place to protect residents at residential addiction treatment facilities from COVID-19 while supporting service provider’s ability to continue to provide services to those accessing treatment.

Measures in place are similar to those in continuing care facilities with special accommodations for group therapy and outdoor visits and to support the shorter residency of clients.

Updated operational and outbreak standards

See Chief Medical Officer of Health Order 07-2021 (April 27, 2021):

Home supports

Call or text 211, or visit ab.211.ca to get help finding resources in your community. 211 is a comprehensive referral system accessible to all Albertans.

Resources

View all public health orders

Information sheet for operators and staff (PDF, 299 KB)

Information sheet for residents and visiting persons (PDF, 329 KB)

Questions & answers: Operational and outbreak standards (CMOH Orders 36-2021 and 37-2021) (PDF, 601 KB)

Questions & answers: Working at a single site (CMOH Order 38-2021) (PDF, 354 KB)

Communications from the Chief Medical Officer of Health:

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