The rules and issues around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve and information changes consistently. Please take note of when our content was written and always go to the sources we’ve provided for the most current guidance.

With information from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC), here’s what to expect when visiting a long-term care or assisted living facility and some measures to keep loved ones safe.

July 2020

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, residents of long-term care of assisted living facilities will be able to visit with one family member or friend for the month of July. In August, the guidelines will be reevaluated to see whether other family members or friends can visit as well.

Visitor protocol

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, these are the general guidelines for visiting:

  • Do not visit if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 or you are self-isolating because you may have been exposed or recently travelled.
  • Visits must be booked in advance.
  • Visitors will be screened for signs and symptoms of illness, including COVID-19, prior to every visit.
  • All visitors are required to bring and wear a mask.
  • Visitors must clean hands before and after visit.
  • Visits will take place in specific “visiting areas,” which will be organized by each residence.
  • Visitors should maintain a distance of two metres or two arm lengths from others.
  • Visits are not allowed if there is an active COVID-19 outbreak at the residence. 

Friends and family members should connect with the long-term care or assisted living facility for specific instructions on how to visit safely, as some rules may be different. 

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Some things to consider when you’re travelling within BC this summer

Look through all of our COVID-19 related information on our website.

Where do we fit in?

Yes, we are a provincial regulator. We are responsible for some very specific transactions in BC. We aren’t experts on COVID-19. We won’t – and shouldn’t – ever give medical or legal advice. But we are in a unique circumstance right now and we want to help people navigate the current reality. We don’t have all the answers, but we will do our best to share information from reliable sources, put it in ways that are easy to digest and understand, provide referrals and help you navigate this situation.

About Consumer Protection BC

We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.