The provincial government is taking additional action to protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19.
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith says homes serving those with developmental disabilities, shelters for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, homeless shelters and children and youth residential settings are at higher risk.
Smith says they will be rolling out a three point plan over the next 48 hours and coming days.
He says that will include:
1. Enhanced Screening and Reduced Exposure to Prevent Spread
-Enhancing screening of visitors, staff, and restricting non-essential visitors.
-Providing masks to staff working in congregate care settings and provide training on the use of personal protective equipment in the event of an outbreak.
2. Infection Control: Managing Outbreaks and Limiting Spread
-Enhancing testing of symptomatic staff and clients to identify the need for isolation and additional infection control measures on-site.
-Planning to limit staff from working at more than one congregate care setting during an outbreak, specifically in developmental services, intervener services, violence against women and anti-human trafficking settings.
-Providing additional training and support for high-risk settings dealing with an outbreak, including guidance on how to isolate clients.
3. Sustaining Staffing and Managing Staff Shortages
-Working with organizations to promote workforce stability and capacity in high-risk settings.
Smith says their plan builds on the work that has already been done to protect the most vulnerable.
Smith says they will also be providing additional support for Indigenous residential settings, both on and off reserve.
