Building Bridges cares deeply for the people we support and for our workers. As such, we have put policies in place to ensure safety for everyone. Our policies have been created using recommendations from WorkSafe BC, Community Living BC, the provincial and federal governments, and the CDC and other health organizations. These policies are reviewed often and updated as new information is presented. All workers are now required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of exemption from the vaccine.
We are following the guidelines and recommendations put forth by WorkSafe BC as we move into Phase 3. For more information on what this looks like, you can visit WorkSafe BC.
Our COVID policies include, but are not limited to:
TRANSPORTATION
Limiting driving participants to a maximum of 2 participants per vehicle. We are leaving it up to the worker and the participants to determine their safety comforts around wearing masks. Hand sanitizer is recommended to be used before getting into the vehicle, and disinfecting of the vehicle should be done after each individual is dropped off.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
We are back to doing social group activities. However, instead of doing pick up, we are doing group meetups in the community. Contact us if you would like to know more about the social meetups.
IN HOME SUPPORT
Workers and participants decide what their masking use is in the home and while they are in the community. We ask that if people have any flu symptoms to report them immediately to the worker and our manager, and to do remote services only until they are symptom free.
If you test positive for COVID, please let participant/worker and our manager know, and reschedule any in person meetings until you are symptom free or 5 days after your fever breaks, whichever comes later.
TRAVEL
Staff and participants are encouraged to COVID test after flying anywhere within Canada or internationally, before meeting with anyone, as travel is still a high risk of exposure.
If you test positive for COVID, please let participant/worker and manager know, and reschedule any in person meetings until you are symptom free or 5 days after fever breaks, whichever comes later.
HEALTH CHECKS
Health checks are performed before each visit. All testing and symptoms are reported and closely monitored.
SYMPTOMS, ILLNESS AND POSITIVE COVID TEST PROTOCOL
SYMPTOMS/ILLNESS – If someone has any symptoms or are sick, they are asked to:
- Call 811 for directions.
- Follow through on what 811 says.
- Inform participant/worker and our manager of conditions.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have symptoms and refuse to call 811 and/or take a COVID test, we will assume you have COVID and proceed accordingly – see below for details.
POSITIVE COVID TEST – If someone tests positive for COVID, they are asked to:
- Contact the manager immediately.
- Contact participants/worker to let them know they have COVID. If they have been in contact with that person recently, encourage them to either get tested, or watch for symptoms.
- No in person support for 5 days after they have been fever free for 24 hrs, or until they are symptom free, whichever comes later. Remote service can be provided during this time.
PPE is made available to workers as needed.
If you have questions about specific policies, please call Astrid at: 250-634-3020, or email us.
Click here for our full, updated, Phase 3 COVID Policy
