8 January 2021

This document is an update of the guidance published on 21 March 2020 and contains new evidence and guidance, including the following:

• updated results from published studies on:
  
  • the epidemiology and extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents and staff in long-term care facilities (LTCFs);
  • the effectiveness of infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in LTCFs;
  • the impact of IPC precautions on mental and physical health and well-being of older people, and in particular people with dementia or other mental health or neurological disorders;
• updated advice on IPC precautions to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and to protect health workers and caregivers of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in LTCFs;
• advice on early detection of and testing for SARS-CoV-2 among residents and staff in LTCFs;
• advice on policies for visitors to LTCFs and additional considerations on minimizing the mental and physical health impacts of restrictions and IPC precautions implemented in the context of COVID-19.