To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of VICCIR clients, staff and their families, as of September 13, 2021, we recommend coming to the office or seeing your client outdoors only if needed - keeping always protected.
Most counselling will continue to be offered online. There will be limited in-person counselling at VICCIR, which should be arranged with the administrative personnel ahead of time. In-person counselling will follow the guidelines below:
The front door to the premises will be kept locked at all times.
No more than 10 people should be on the premises at any one time.
The occupancy limit (10) will be posted on the door of the premises.
Only VICCIR employees, counsellors, interpreters, staff, volunteers, board directors and clients with appointments with VICCIR staff and others with special permission may be on the premises. A client who is a child may be accompanied by one parent or caregiver.
A distance of 2 meters (6 feet) should be maintained between people at all times.
Masks should be worn at all times on the premises except in the following situations:
If a person is unable to put on or remove a mask without the assistance of another person.
If the mask is removed temporarily for the purposes of identifying the person wearing it.
If a person is eating or drinking.
If a person is behind a barrier (e.g., a divider, a cubicle, or in a room by themselves)
While providing a service to a person with a disability or diverse ability where visual cues, facial expressions and/or lip reading/movements are important.
If an individual is unable to wear a mask for health or behavioural reasons, they will be offered service online or, if an office appointment is needed, they will need to inform staff before arriving so they can ensure proper physical distancing.
Everyone accessing the premises must wash their hands upon arrival, before and after breaks and before and after handling common tools and equipment (e.g. phones, printers, etc.).
Common tools and equipment must be sanitized by the user after use (disinfecting materials will be supplied). Where possible, tools and equipment are not shared.
General cleaning and disinfecting of the workplace should occur at least once a day.
Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice a day.
Shared bathrooms should be cleaned at least twice per day.
The premises will be thoroughly cleaned once a week.
Anyone accessing the premises must complete a health check 12-24 hours prior to coming into the premises. This can be done online using the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool, which is available in a variety languages (https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en)
If any individual receives any other result from the self-assessment, they should not come to the VICCIR premises and should follow the instructions provided in the self-assessment.
In addition, clients will be asked the following questions before being allowed access to the VICCIR premises:
Have you travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days?
Have you tested positive for COVID-19 or had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
Do you have any of the following symptoms?
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Anyone who arrived from outside of Canada must follow the BC Centre for Disease Control guidelines for international travel. Please refer to Travel (bccdc.ca)
Anyone who has been exposed to someone with a confirmed COVID-19 case, have to follow the guidelines of BC Centre for Disease Control guidelines for self-monitoring and self-isolation. Please refer to Self-Isolation and Self-Monitoring (bccdc.ca)
Anyone who feels unwell when already inside the VICCIR premises must go home immediately. They must notify the Director of Services that they will go home because they feel unwell and inform her how they will get home.
Non-medical masks will be provided if needed.
Anyone with safety concerns related to the VICCIR premises should notify the Director of Services.