The BC Centre of Disease Control has updated its infection prevention and control guidance for home and community care workers. The key changes are:

• There is no longer a requirement to wear eye protection for all client care. The decision to wear eye protection is now based on a point-of-care risk assessment.
• If you are providing care to people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you should still take droplet and contact precautions. This includes eye protection, as well as a medical mask, gloves and gown.
• Healthcare workers should also feel able to request any PPE they deem necessary following a point-of-care risk assessment.
• Home and community care workers, clients, and household members, should wherever possible keep enough physical distance that everyone feels comfortable.
• Before each appointment, home and community care workers and clients must self-screen for symptoms and risk factors associated with COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases (for example influenza).
• Medical masks are still required for home and community care workers providing care, but not for clients receiving care in their own home. Any household members involved in the provision of care should wear a medical mask when they are close to the home care worker or client.

Check out these additional home care infection prevention resources:

• Point of Care Assessment Cards for COVID
• Home Care Masking Poster (Ministry of Health)
• Overview of Updates (Ministry of Health)