Community Living BC is asking non-profit housing providers to please remember to allow support workers to enter buildings to provide essential supports during the pandemic.
In early April, Emergency Management BC, after consulting with other government ministries and the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), released its list of essential services — those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning. These are the services British Columbians come to rely on in their daily lives.
It is vital, therefore, that agencies managing inclusive social housing allow support workers from community living agencies or hired directly by individuals with developmental disabilities to access their buildings to provide support services. Stopping support workers from accessing the people they support may be a violation of the rights of people with disabilities who require support with decision-making, communication and other daily living needs. These workers have been directed on public health protocols such as handwashing and physical distancing and community living agencies are working to reduce the number of support workers working with an individual in order to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. If you have questions, please contact the community living agency supporting the people in your building or your local Community Living BC office (listed on communitylivingbc.ca).
