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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Posted: February 1, 2022
Publié le 1 February 2022
Check this page often. As the pandemic evolves, we will update it regularly with information relevant to dietitians.
Updates
New: May 3, 2022
Directive 3 for Long-Term Care Homes issued on May 3, 2022 is available on the
ministry website.
April 22, 2022
Masking Requirements Continue in Select Indoor Settings in Ontario
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced that masking requirements continue in select higher-risk indoor settings until June 11, 2022.
Provincial masking requirements which were set to expire on April 27, 2022 are being extended in current settings until 12:00 a.m. on June 11, 2022, including:
- public transit;
- health care settings (e.g., hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics that provide health care services, laboratories, specimen collection centres, and home and community care);
- long-term care homes;
- retirement homes; and
- shelters and other congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals.
A complete list of settings where masking requirements continue to apply is available
online.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) will also maintain the CMOH
Directives currently in effect until June 11, 2022, after which the ministry will issue guidance on personal protective equipment recommendations for infection prevention and control in health care settings.
Dietitians employed in health care settings should follow their organizational policies. Dietitians working in community settings such as private practice should continue to follow the guidance from the Ministry of Health.
April 14, 2022
Ukrainians Fleeing War: Early Assessment Considerations for Primary Care Providers
On April 7, 2022, the Ministry of Health issued guidance for primary care providers working with clients fleeing the war in Ukraine. Ukrainians Fleeing War: Early Assessment Considerations for Primary Care Providers provides helpful information and considerations for healthcare providers whose services may be required during the early assessment phase. For additional information, please visit the Ministry website.
May 10, 2022 Update: The Ministry of Health is supporting newly arriving refugees and people arriving through other exceptional humanitarian authorizations (e.g., Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) by providing a toll-free, multi-lingual, Refugee HealthLine (1-866-286-4770). The Refugee HealthLine will refer agencies/individuals to the closest providers capable of taking on eligible patients for transitional care. All health care providers interested in participating should contact the Refugee HealthLine at 1-866-286-4770.
COVID-19 Guidance for Congregate Living for Vulnerable Populations
The COVID-19 Guidance: Congregate Living for Vulnerable Populations has been updated and is now available on the ministry’s website.
March 11, 2022
Mask Mandates in Ontario
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced that mask mandates will be lifted in most public spaces in Ontario starting on March 21, 2022. According to the Ministry of Health technical brief, this guidance does not apply to high-risk settings including hospitals, long-term care homes and other health care settings.
Dietitians employed in health care settings should follow their organizational policies. Dietitians working in community settings such as private practice should continue to follow the guidance from the Ministry of Health as outlined in the document Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting.
March 10, 2022
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced the revocation of Directive #6 effective March 14, 2022.
February 14, 2022
Ontario Moving to Next Phase of Reopening on February 17
In addition, as of Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17.
February 10, 2022
On January 5, 2022, the Chief Medical Officer of Health reinstated Directive 2 as a time-limited measure, pausing all non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures to preserve critical care and human resource capacity. On February 1, 2022, Directive 2 was revised to resume certain clinical activities, including diagnostic imaging, cancer screening, and non-urgent and emergent surgeries and procedures in pediatric specialty hospitals.
On February 10, 2022, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Ontario Health, revoked Directive 2 to allow a gradual, phased and coordinated resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent clinical services by health care providers across the province. Resumption of non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures will follow a planned phased approach across the province, in alignment with guidance provided by Ontario Health and the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Please refer to the following documents for full details:
Updates are listed below to Directives 1,3 and 5 as of December 24, 2021.
To further ramp up capacity to support Ontario’s booster dose rollout, the Ontario government has made regulatory amendments to allow more individuals to safely administer the COVID-19 vaccine:
The protection of health care workers and other staff in all health care settings where health care is provided is critical. Dietitians, please review and adopt the following technical brief, updated on December 15, 2021:
Interim IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19
Directives
- Directive #1 for Health Care Providers and Health Care Entities (This Directive replaces the Directive #1 issued on March 30, 2020) December 17, 2021
- Directive #1: Questions and Answers (Version 1.0 issued by the CMOH) December 24, 2021
- Directive #2 for Health Care Providers (Regulated Health Professionals or Persons who operate a Group Practice of Regulated Health Professionals) January 5, 2022
- Directive #2: Questions & Answers (Version 2 issued by CMOH) January 6, 2022
- Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes under the Long- Term Care Homes Act, 2007 December 24, 2021
- Directive #5 for Hospitals with the meaning of the Public Health Act and Long-Term Care Homes within the meaning of the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (This Directive replaces the Directive #5 issued on April 27, 2021, which has been revoked.) December 17, 2021
- Directive #5: Questions and Answers (Version 3.0 issued by the CMOH) December 21, 2021
College Pandemic Resources for Dietitians
- Vaccination Status Disclosure Guidance for CDO Members August 26, 2021
- Guidance on virtual visits remains unchanged, and dietitians should continue to follow the Ministry’s Operational Requirements
- Dietitians must adjust their practice according to Directive 2 and the Ministry’s COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart, which specify:
- Wherever feasible, client visits must be conducted virtually. Dietitians are urged to use professional judgement in determining which clients can be treated virtually and, if not feasible, which could be seen in-person.
- You must have in place strict protocols, as required, around feasibility and risk assessments, infection prevention and control, hazard controls, screening, personal protective equipment, and client scheduling to ensure physical distancing and safe care.
- Decisions about client visits must be in keeping with the principles set out in Directive #2: Proportionality; Minimizing Harm to Patients; Equity; and Reciprocity.
Also see the College’s
COVID-19 Guidance for the Gradual Restart of Non-Essential Virtual and In-Person Care, which is a supplement to the Ministry’s operational requirements.
Helpful Pandemic Resource Links for Dietitians
GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO
COVID-19 Public Health Measures and Advice
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE
COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Sector
- Case Definition
- Guidance Documents
- Health Sector Resources
- Long-Term Care Home/Retirement Home Resources
- Symptoms, Screening and Test Resources
- Case and Contact Management Resources
- Mental Health Resources
- Guidance for Other Sectors
- Signage for Business and Health Care Settings
COVID-19 Vaccine Relevant Information and Planning Resources
- Prioritization Resources
- Long-Term Care Home/Retirement Homes Resources
- Health Care Provider Education Documents
- General Immunixation Documents
Orders, Directives, Memorandums and Other Resources
- Minister's Orders
- Chief Medical Officer of Health Orders
- Directives
- Memorandums
- Other Reports, Advisories, and Memorandums
WEBINARS & E-LEARNING
COVID Care Learning