Ontario Extending Call to Arms to Businesses, Volunteers and Retired Health Professionals

Please see the following Ontario Government News Release “Ontario Extending Call to Arms to Businesses, Volunteers and Retired Health Professionals”.

The amendments to the Controlled Acts Regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, is available at the following link.

COVID-19 Directive #1 for Health Care Providers and Health Entities and Directive – Revised December 21, 2021

Effective December 21, 2021, the Ontario Government released an updated Directive #1 for Health Care Providers and Health Entities to outline revised PPE requirements.

Please note, this directive only applies to health care workers who are “providing direct care to or interacting with a suspected, probable (i.e. placed in precautions as high risk contact, in an outbreak zone of the facility or recently transferred from a facility in outbreak) or confirmed cases of COVID-19”. Chiropractors providing in-person care should continue to practise in accordance with current guidance for the health sector.

As an interim precaution in light of the uncertainty of the Omicron variant, all health care workers providing direct care to or interacting with individuals who have suspected, probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19 are required to have and use the following PPE:

• Fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator (or equivalent);
• Eye Protection (goggles or face shield);
• Gloves;
• Appropriate Isolation Gowns.

The following additional updated directives for specific health care settings are:

• Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes
• Directive #4 for Ambulance Services and Paramedics
• Directive #5 for Hospitals and Long-Term Care Homes

December 29, 2021 Update

Ontario Government guidance for the health sector continues to be available at the following link.

• CCO continues to monitor updated announcements and directives from the Ontario Government and Ministry of Health;
• The current Ministry of Health practice and patient screening guidance continues to be in place;
• Updated Ministry of Health COVID-19 Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge is available;
• Members should review the guidance from Public Health Ontario, including the updated guidance for the Omicron variant. Updated guidance includes that appropriate PPE when providing direct care for patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19 includes a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator (or equivalent or greater protection), eye protection, gown, and gloves;
• Any updates will be posted on the CCO COVID-19 webpage.