Updates to BSF COVID-19 Safe Visiting Policy
As part of our commitment to review the BSF COVID-19 Safe Visiting Policy on an ongoing basis in response to our organizational risk assessment, informed by feedback from residents and families, we are pleased to announce the following changes that will take effect on Monday, February 7, 2022:
BSF is removing the restriction for Designated Family/Support Persons. Visitation will be open to all family members, loved ones, and other visitors with no restriction on type of visitor (all visitors must pass screening).
BSF is revising the requirement for rapid testing of all visitors entering the site based on immunization status for COVID-19, as follows:
- All persons that are fully immunized* will be required to complete a rapid test once every three days before entry into the site. (Fully immunized visitors may still voluntarily choose to complete a rapid test daily).
- All persons that are not fully immunized* continue to be required to complete a rapid test upon entry to the site once daily.
BSF will not store visitor health records including immunization status or rapid test results:
- QR Code proof of immunization is required.
- BSF will provide a confirmation receipt of rapid test result that the visitor is responsible to show on re-entry to the site within the applicable period.
- If proof of immunization and/or confirmation of rapid test cannot be shown, a rapid test will be required on entry.
Other considerations:
- The visitor will be required to wait for the result of the rapid test before entering the site. Please allow an additional 15 minutes at screening to complete the rapid test.
- Any visitor that is eligible to be vaccinated (i.e. age 5 years and older) but has a valid medical exemption (must show proof of exemption) are required to complete a daily rapid test.
- Children aged 4 years and under (who are not yet eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine) are not required to undergo a mandatory rapid test to enter inside the site. A voluntary Rapid Test can be performed if the child is able to tolerate it and with parent/guardian consent.
- Rapid Testing is not recommended for anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 21 days. Screeners (or those conducting rapid tests) will be verifying that a visitor is not within 21 days of completing their isolation period after a positive COVID-19 result.
Visitors will be permitted to wear their own well-fitted KN95/N95 mask OR a surgical mask provided by BSF. Any visitor bringing their own KN95/N95 mask must be a NEW mask that is opened from the packaging on entry to site.
BSF Senior Management will continue to evaluate our BSF COVID-19 Safe Visiting Policy based on the prevalence and risk of COVID-19 in the community and the status of COVID-19 outbreaks across The Foundation’s sites.
The full BSF Safe Visiting Policy is available at: www.theBSF.ca/COVID19.
BSF COVID-19 Vaccine Mandatory Third Dose Policy for Staff
In October last year, BSF implemented the mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy requiring all BSF staff to be fully immunized (14 days past the second dose).
Now, a third dose (also known as a “booster” dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all Albertans aged 18+ (eligible five months after their second dose).
We wish to inform our residents and families that BSF’s updated COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine policy now requires all BSF employees (who are eligible for the third dose) to be immunized with the third dose by January 31, 2022. This policy applies to all BSF employees throughout The Foundation inclusive of students, volunteers, temporary agency staff and physicians. All eligible employees that did not met this mandatory BSF employment requirement have been placed on an unpaid leave of absence effective February 1, 2022.
The purpose of BSF’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy is to ensure the safest working environment for our staff, and the greatest protection for our residents who depend on us to deliver safe, high-quality care and services.
BSF is very proud to have achieved exceptionally high rates of COVID-19 immunization voluntarily in our staff, before making this a mandatory requirement. This is a tribute to our staff’s ongoing commitment to ensure the highest standards of health and safety and ensure the greatest protection for themselves, each other, and of course our residents.
This BSF policy and level of commitment from our staff reinforces BSF’s position as a leader in continuing care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
