B.C. is further easing restrictions are long term care homes across the province as the COVID-19 situation continues to improve.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says some of the big changes include no more need to schedule visits, no need for people who are fully vaccinated to be wearing masks while visiting your loved ones, and no limits on the number of visitors a person can have.

“It will allow some return to normalcy,” he said.

Masks will be required in common areas of the facilities.

Larger social events and gatherings will also be able to take place again. Any indoor gatherings at a care home may include residents and units across a facility while outdoor gatherings can include family and friends.

“Since March 2020, there have been restrictions in long term care. You will remember that on June 30, 2020, changes were made to allow visits and then again on March 25, further changes were made that significantly expanded the number of visits in long term care at that time,” Dix added.

“They were done because of the significant success of immunization in reducing transmission in long term care.”

Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry says care home workers who are not fully vaccinated will have to adhere to COVID-19 protocols like the use of masks and the use of rapid tests. As well, she says, volunteers and personal service providers will need to be fully vaccinated before they’re allowed back into a facility.

“For those not fully immunized or not willing or able to provide proof of vaccination the precautions that we have in place now will be continued to make sure we don’t add additional risk in our care homes,” Henry said.

Dix says the changes will come into effect on July 19 so that care home operators as well as residents and their families have time to prepare for the changes.

After that day, you will still need to leave your contact information when you visit a loved one in a care home for contact tracing.