Our residents are at higher risk of serious illness from exposure to COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses. You can help us protect everyone living, working or visiting at our Manors by preventing any potential spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
This special bulletin is designed to assure residents, families and visitors to our Manors that The Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) is taking all reasonable precautions to prevent the occurrence or spread of COVID-19 in our sites.
As of November 19, 2021, Health Canada has approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years of age. The Brenda Strafford Strafford Foundation (BSF), is extending our COVID-19 Safe Visiting Policy requiring proof of full immunization or a mandatory rapid test to include children aged 5 years and above.
Effective from November 30, 2021, all children aged 5-11 years will now be required to have a negative COVID-19 test (completed within the past 72 hours) to be permitted indoor visitation. Once a child has completed the full immunization for COVID-19, they will be able to provide proof of immunization instead of a rapid test.
Children aged 4 years and under will not be required to participate in mandatory rapid testing. A voluntary rapid test can be performed if the child is able to tolerate it and with parent/guardian consent.
As part of our ongoing commitment to review our COVID-19 Safe Visiting Policy in consultation with residents and families, BSF recently conducted a survey to seek feedback on rapid testing for children. A majority of the resident and family respondents to this survey supported this change for mandatory rapid testing for children aged 5 years and above.
The Government of Alberta’s COVID-19 Restriction Exemption Program has transitioned to use the ‘Vaccine Record with QR Code’ as the only valid Alberta proof of vaccination accepted as of November 15, 2021. Paper records from vaccination appointments or previous Alberta vaccine records without QR codes are no longer accepted.
The Alberta Vaccine Record with QR Code is available for download at: alberta.ca/CovidRecords. The Vaccine Record with QR Code can be presented electronically on a mobile device or printed as a hard copy paper record.
In alignment with the province’s Restrictions Exemption Program in the community, BSF now also requires visitors entering our sites to use the Vaccine Record with QR Code as their proof of immunization starting on November 15, 2021.
Vaccine records will continue to be accepted from: First Nations; Military; Other Provinces; International Travellers.
Visitors that are not fully immunized, or visitors that do not have the accepted proof of immunization record, will be required to undergo a negative rapid test before permitted entry into the site.
Visitors that are not fully immunized are strongly encouraged to reconsider their need to attend to the resident onsite, indoors and in person. Alternatives to onsite indoor in-person visits include outdoor visits, virtual visits, and telephone calls.
Visitors must wear a surgical/procedure mask at all times in all indoor areas of the building (including in resident’s rooms). This is a change from the previous CMOH Order that permitted visitors to remove masks within a resident’s private room.
Can I remove my mask to eat or drink while visiting? Visitors may temporarily remove their masks when inside a resident’s room, a private dining room, or while seated at the Bistro (applicable at Cambridge Manor) for the purpose of eating or drinking. They must remain physically distanced from the resident and all others not from their household and the mask must be put back on immediately after the meal/drink is finished. Visitors are not permitted to remove their masks to eat/drink in the resident group dining rooms or in other common areas of the site.
Can a resident participate in an offsite outing? It is the resident’s responsibility, along with their family or loved one, to understand and follow all mandatory public health measures that are applicable to all Albertans in the community including a visit to a business/service provider or attending a private social gathering.
Find out more by viewing the updated BSF Safe Visiting Policy available at: www.BSF.ca/COVID19. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and understanding. Together, we remain BSF Strong!
.JPG)
In the spirit of respect, reconciliation and gratitude, we honour and acknowledge that our services are provided on the traditional territories of Treaty 7, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy comprising the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Good Stoney Bands. These territories are also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3. We are grateful for the many First Nations who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We acknowledge that we have ongoing responsibilities to protect, honour and celebrate all of life within our shared communities.
