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OUR RESPONSE TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS: ​COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS AT BSF

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 seniors living in continuing care communities are a population that is at higher risk, and out of an abundance of precaution, BSF is taking extra Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures within our sites that are considered over and above the current guidelines for the general public in Alberta at this time.

Special Bulletin: December 24, 2021

Download Bulletin PDF

COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Visiting Policy Update & Reminders

Posted on December 24, 2021 in COVID-19 Updates

On December 23, 2021, Alberta Health issued an updated Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Order for Continuing Care Operators in response to the rise of community transmission of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The yet unknown challenges the Omicron variant will present to long-term care, licensed supportive living, and hospices, requires immediate action. As such, BSF is introducing changes to our COVID-19 Safe Visiting Policy in response to the growing prevalence of COVID-19 in the community.

We understand the Holiday Season is an important time for residents, families and loved ones. These changes consider minimizing the disruption for residents, families and loved ones at this important time, while managing the significantly increasing risk in the community in line with current CMOH Orders and enhanced public health restrictions and guidance for all Albertans.

A reminder that all Albertans are asked to reduce their number of contacts by half, limit unrestricted activities where there is a high risk of transmission, and observe all public health measures over the holidays to help limit the spread. Refer to: www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx

Visitor Rapid Testing Requirements Effective December 27:

  • Starting from December 27, 2021, BSF will require any visitor (aged 5 years and older) that is not fully immunized for COVID-19 to undertake a negative rapid test daily upon entry to a BSF site or provide valid proof of privately paid negative test completed within the past 24 hours.
  • In the meantime, between December 24-26, 2021, rapid tests completed within 72 hours remain valid as per current BSF policy. However, it is strongly recommended that any visitors who are not fully immunized voluntarily consent to a daily rapid test upon entry to the site before it becomes mandatory daily starting from December 27.
  • Please also be reminded that visitors who are not fully immunized are strongly encouraged to reconsider their need to visit and attend to the resident onsite, indoors and in person (as per CMOH recommendation) and alternatives to in person visits include virtual visits and phone calls instead.
  • BSF also encourages fully immunized visitors to voluntarily consent to a regular rapid test, even though it is not a mandatory requirement for entry of immunized visitors.
  • Negative rapid tests completed at home are not valid and only rapid tests completed on site at BSF or with valid documentation from a privately paid test are accepted.

Residents Returning from Outings (Greater than 24 Hours) Effective December 27:

  • Starting at BSF sites from December 27, 2021, all residents returning from an outing for an absence of greater than 24 hours (regardless of immunization status) are required by CMOH Order to:
    • Wear a surgical/procedure mask for 14 days while in common areas of the site except when eating and drinking
    • Actively screen for symptoms daily
    • Rapid test on days 1, 3 and 7 post-return to site

Update to Visitor and Volunteer Screening Requirements:

  • Effective since December 17, 2021, any visitor or volunteer that has had known close contact with a lab-confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days must not enter the site for 14 days from the last day of exposure, regardless of their immunization status (in accordance with CMOH Order mandatory screening and restrictions).
    • Note: While fully immunized individuals are not required to quarantine in the community after exposure to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, this is a new and mandatory CMOH provincial restriction for visitors and volunteers entering a continuing care site.

Clarification to Mask Exemption Policy:

  • Any visitor unable to wear a mask due to an approved medical condition requires proof of a medical exemption letter from an authorized health professional (in accordance with Alberta Health requirements for mask exemptions).
  • Anyone with a medical exemption must provide their proof of medical exemption to the Site Administrator for approval and must continue to present their proof of exemption upon each to the visit.

Other Important Visitation Reminders and FAQs:

Visitors must wear a surgical/procedure mask provided by BSF at all times in all indoor areas of the building including in resident’s rooms. Can visitors remove masks 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) briefly for the purpose of eating or drinking.
  • They must remain physically distanced from the resident and all others not from their household when unmasked 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 common dining rooms or in other common areas of the site.

Can a resident participate in an offsite outing?

  • Residents who are not required to quarantine or isolate are able to participate in outings based on their personal needs and risk tolerance.
  • 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 when attending a private social gathering at a private residence.
  • Refer to: www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx

Reminder - Alberta Vaccine Record with QR Code:

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 since 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.


Together, we remain BSF Strong!

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.

We wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Together, we remain BSF Strong!

Other Articles in COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Risk Assessment Survey Results & Visiting Reminders
Last updated March 4, 2022
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Safe Visiting Policy Changes
Last updated February 4, 2022
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Safe Visiting Policy Changes to Designated Family/Support Visitors
Last updated January 4, 2022
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Visiting Policy Update for Residents Returning from Outings
Last updated December 25, 2021
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Rapid Test for Children & Visitation Reminders
Last updated November 25, 2021
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Vaccination Status of Visitors
Last updated September 23, 2021
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Risk Tolerance Assessment & Restricted Access to Visitation
Last updated September 4, 2020
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Back to School Considerations
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COVID-19 BSF Introduces Safe Visiting Policy
Last updated July 23, 2020
COVID-19 Situational Update at The Brenda Strafford Foundation
Last updated July 15, 2020
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Current Updates
Last updated June 10, 2020
COVID-19 Situational Update at The Brenda Strafford Foundation
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COVID-19 Situational Update at The Brenda Strafford Foundation
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COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Outdoor Visits and Outdoor Access
Last updated May 2, 2020
COVID-19 Situational Update at The Brenda Strafford Foundation
Last updated April 29, 2020
COVID-19 A message from the President and CEO
Last updated April 24, 2020
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Government of Alberta Announcements for Continuing Care
Last updated April 21, 2020
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Healthcare Worker Requirement for Masks and Multi-site Restrictions
Last updated April 11, 2020
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Updates and Reminders
Last updated April 10, 2020
COVID-19 Appeal for Donations
Last updated April 2, 2020
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Precautions and Services Update
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COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Frequently Asked Questions
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COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Virtual Visits & Therapeutic Recreation
Last updated March 18, 2020
COVID-19 Notice: Site Visitation Ban Effective Today
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COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Useful Information
Last updated March 12, 2020
COVID-19 Family & Visitor Bulletin: Entry Restriction & Important Information
Last updated March 10, 2020

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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.

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