Visitor restrictions being lifted at long-term care homes in B.C.

Visitors to long-term care homes in British Columbia will soon be allowed to see loved ones without COVID-19 restrictions as part of a plan to resume usual social activities for residents.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says high vaccination rates have made the return to unscheduled visits possible starting July 19, but staff will be required to report whether they have been immunized.

She says unvaccinated workers must continue wearing a mask and take a rapid test three times a week, and all volunteers must be immunized. Dr. Henry has issued a new order for facilities to provide public health officials with the names and personal health numbers of workers, volunteers and residents to verify everyone's vaccination status.

She says workers who have not been immunized will be given information to make a decision about getting vaccinated in order to protect those living and working at the homes.

Dr. Henry says the percentage of long-term care staff that have received a COVID-19 vaccination is in the high 80s while over 90 per cent of residents have been inoculated, though those numbers are lower in some facilities.