Ontario's new steps to support retirement home seniors during COVID-19

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Toronto, May 30 (Canadian-Media): 2010 Retirement Homes Act regulation was amended May 30 by the Ontario government to ensure seniors living in retirement homes get better support from the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) during the COVID-19 outbreak, media reports said. 

Ontario government. Image credit: Twitter handle

The regulation change implies increase in emergency payment paid by RHRA to eligible retirement home residents from $2,000 to $3,500.

During an emergency, such as an outbreak, this funding can be used to support residents to cover costs for transportation, alternative accommodation or temporary care.

Retirement homes are also required, by this regulation change, to report infectious disease outbreaks to the RHRA during COVID-19 and beyond.  

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the government of Ontario in recent days has made these regulatory amendments to ensure our seniors are supported and protected and have the needed financial resources in the event of an emergency.

Ontario is also working to make it easier for the retirement home regulator to work with local public health authorities.

In addition, the government has: Issued an emergency to allow employers with unionized workforces to provide pandemic pay to eligible employees without the need to negotiate separate terms or conditions with their bargaining agents; extended an emergency order to provide electricity bill relief for industrial and commercial consumers during COVID-19  to the end of June 2020; amended an emergency order to allow drive-in movie theatres that were in existence before May 29, 2020 to reopen with restrictions, and allowing batting cages to open so that people can start to enjoy outdoor seasonal activities at safe physical distances.

These changes will take effect on May 31, 2020.