Health PEI easing visitor restrictions in all health care facilities

Yesterday, the Chief Public Health Officer announced the easing of restrictions in place as part of the circuit breaker to limit the possible spread of COVID-19 on PEI. 

In alignment with this easing of restrictions, Health PEI is easing visitor restrictions at all hospitals and health care centres. (Long Term Care homes have different restrictions, noted below).

Effective immediately, the following restrictions are in place for hospitals and other health facilities:

• Visitors and Partners in Care are permitted either indoors or outdoors. 
• All patients may designate up to two Partners in Care.  
• There are no restrictions on visitation times and no requirement to designate visitors; however, a maximum of three visitors, including the Partners in Care, may be present at the bedside at one time.  
• Length and frequency of bedside visits are dependent on each health care site’s operational plan. 
• Visitors and patients must remain six feet apart at all times. 
• Visitors must abide by all infection prevention and control and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policies.

As noted by Dr. Morrison on Thursday, Long Term Care homes have separate visiting restrictions. 

• Residents may designate two Partners in Care and an additional six designated visitors to support their care and social interaction.  
• A maximum of two designated visitors may visit with the resident at one time. 
• Designated visitors are required to schedule their visit and must abide by all infection prevention and control and Personal 
• Visits can be up to one hour in length in a designated visiting space that allows visitors and residents to remain six feet apart at all times.  Visits may no longer occur in a resident’s room (unless for end of life visits)

Visiting protocols are assessed regularly as Health PEI balances the need for patients to be with their family and loved ones with ongoing COVID-19 infection control measures.

Media contact:
Everton McLean
Senior Communications Officer
Health PEI
(902) 213-1507
emclean@gov.pe.ca