Ministry & Government Directives
Directives & Memorandums released from the Ministry & Ontario Government during the COVID-19 pandemic
Associate Deputy Minister Memo regarding Step One of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen and FAQs (Released on June 9, 2021)
Please use the links below to access a memo from Associate Deputy Minister Erin Hannah regarding Step One of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. An updated FAQ document has also been released
- AsDM Memo: Step One of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen
- Updated Directive 3 and Guidance Document FAQ_June 9, 2021
Changes to Visitor and Absence Policies in LTC
The Ministry has released information on further changes to visitor and absences policies taking effect June 9, 2021 to improve the quality of life for long-term care home residents, as well as updates on surveillance testing. AsDM memo, updated FAQs on Directive #3, MLTC Guidance and Visiting Policy, as well as a new visitor, absences and social gatherings snapshot can be accessed using the links below.
- AsDM Memo: Upcoming Changes Related to Absences and Visitors Policy (June 3)
- Updated FAQs: Directive #3, MLTC Guidance, and Visiting Policy (June 3)
- Visitor, Absences and Social Gatherings Snapshot
AsDM Memo New Minister’s Directive: Long-Term Care Home COVID-19 Immunization Policy (Released May 31, 2021)
Long-term care homes have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and effort to support vaccine uptake. Today, the ministry is introducing a new directive to support this continued effort. The new directive establishes a consistent standard across the sector for each home to have a COVID-19 immunization policy.
Please find links below to a memo from the Associate Deputy Minister of LTC Pandemic Response, the new Minister's directive and a resource guide to support implementation.
*NEW* Surveillance Testing Directive Effective May 21, 2021
The Minister of Long-Term Care has released a new directive on Surveillance Testing and accompanying FAQ document. The update includes the removal of testing requirements for outdoor visits (effective May 21, 2021)
- COVID-19: LONG-TERM CARE HOME SURVEILLANCE TESTING AND ACCESS TO HOMES
- Updated FAQs - Enhancing Protection for LTC Homes (May 21, 2021)
*NEW* AsDM Memorandum Issued on May 21, 2021
- Changes for General Visitors (May 21, 2021 AsDM Memorandum) – Family Councils Ontario (fco.ngo)
- Updated-Directive-3-and-Guidance-Document-FAQ_2021-05-21_FINAL.pdf (fco.ngo)
- Visitor Policy
- MLTC Guidance Document
- Directive 3 for Long-Term Care Homes
Updated Information: Shortened Interval for COVID-19 Second Dose Issued on May 10, 2021
Guidance for LTC
The most recent Guidance Documents linked below provide information on screening for entry into Long-Term Care homes, as well COVID-19 guidance for Public Health Units. Please review both documents on our website
- COVID-19 Screening Tool for Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes (Version 4, Issued on May 5, 2021)
- COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes for Public Health Units (Version 1, Issued on May 5, 2021)
Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes – May 4, 2021
The Directive #3 dated April 23, 2021 for Long-Term Care Homes under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, is revoked and replaced with this Directive:
*NEW* COVID-19 Guidance Document Information
Directive #5 for PHA Hospitals and Long-Term Care Homes (April 7, 2021)
Updated Path to Recovery and LTCH Zones
- Letter to residents & families - DM Steele MOLTC
- AsDM Erin Hanna Memo: Path to Recovery
- COVID-19 LTCH-Specific Framework Zone Requirements
Changes to Inspection Protocols & IP Revision Overview (Apr. 14, 2021)
- Admission and Discharge (EN)
- Admission and Discharge (FR)
- Sufficient Staffing (EN)
- Sufficient Staffing (FR)
- Training and Orientation (EN)
- Training and Orientation (FR)
- IP Revision Overview
Directive # 3 (Date of Issuance: April 7)
March 15, 2021 - Updated Minister’s Directive: COVID-19: LONG-TERM CARE HOME SURVEILLANCE TESTING AND ACCESS TO HOMES
- Minister’s Directive: COVID-19: LONG-TERM CARE HOME SURVEILLANCE TESTING AND ACCESS TO HOMES
- AsDM Memo: Updated Direction on the Rapid Antigen Screening Program
- Surveillance Testing in Long Term Care Homes Fact Sheet
Directive #5 for PHA Hospitals and Long-Term Care Homes (February 9, 2021)
Testing
- Updated FAQs Enhancing Protection for Long-Term Care Homes (Mar 2)
Minister's Directive - COVID-19 Long-Term Care Home Surveillance Testing and Access to Homes_English - Minister's Directive - COVID-19 Long-Term Care Home Surveillance Testing and Access to Homes_French (Effective Feb 16)
- COVID-19 Framework Zone Requirements for LTC Homes FINAL
- Assistant DM Memo Rapid Antigen Testing, COVID-19 Response Framework and Vaccination Program (February 16) (Feb 16)
- Antigen Testing in LTC Memorandum - (January 27)
- CMOH Letter to Medical Officers of Health (Implementation Support of Antigen Testing (February 2)
- Enhancing the Protection for LTC Homes (February 4) *Clarification and refinements to January 27 LTC Memorandum*
- Rapid Antigen Testing Rolling Frequently Asked - changes highlighted (February 5)
Vaccine Information
- COVID-19 Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination_English (Feb 9)
- COVID-19 Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination_French (Feb 9)
- MOH Memo Sequencing of Phase One Priority Populations for Vaccination with Vaccine Supply Resumption FINAL (Feb 14)
- Memo from Richard Steele, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Long-Term Care
- MLTC Letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Health – COVID-19 Vaccines for Ontario
- Vaccine Administration (January 25) Memorandum
- Assessment Checklist
- COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet (English)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet (French)
- Vaccinations for long-term care staff, residents and caregivers (February 12)
Visiting Policies
- ADM Memo on Provincewide Shutdown to Stop Spread of COVID-19 (January 2021)
- Revised Visiting Policy (EN)
- Visiting Policy FAQs
- Long-Term Care Visiting and Testing Fact Sheet (EN)
Additional Information for LTC
- Strategies to Support Palliative Care in Long-Term Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Cooling requirements in Ontario Regulation 79/10 under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (February 11)
- Physicians on Call Program Guidelines -- English (February 3)
- Physicians on Call Program Guidelines -- French (February 3)
Important Sector Reports
Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission (Final Report) April 30, 2021
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Visiting Policy Updates
This COVID-19 Visiting Policy (policy) is provided to support homes in implementing the requirements in Directive #3 and the Minister’s Directive to safely receive visitors while protecting residents, staff, and visitors from the risk of COVID-19.
Documents: