UPDATES

 VCT is pleased to advise that Villa Charities Inc. is making monthly parking passes available for family members and loves ones designated as the Power of Attorney (POA) for Care/Main Contact/Essential Caregivers of a resident at VCT who visit frequently. If you are interested in purchasing a monthly parking pass, please email info@villacolombo.on.ca to determine eligibility for a pass and obtain information on how to enroll for the pass. The current cost of a monthly parking pass is $40.00 per month (subject to increase at a later date). A one-time refundable deposit fee of $20 is also required for the parking hang tag. 

The Ontario government has partnered with Metrolinx and local Public Health Units to help improve access to vaccines, and provide a safe, reliable, and convenient option for people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Villa Colombo Toronto has agreed to host the GO-VAXX mobile clinic at VCT on June 3, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the rear parking lot. The clinic is available for first, second and booster doses for those eligible. This is open to all family and friends at VCT and in the local community. Anyone interested can book an appointment 4 days in advance starting at 8:00 a.m. on the provincial booking website https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or by calling the provincial vaccine contact center at 1-833-943-3900. Walk-ins will be accepted, however there is no guarantee that vaccines will be available without an appointment. 

As we approach our third Mother’s Day of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to make sure you are aware of the most current guidelines for visits with your loved ones. 

Outdoor Visits 

• Outdoor visits by unvaccinated visitors must be booked in advance. Unvaccinated visitors booked for a garden visit must check-in and participate in active screening at the Sala Caboto entrance, west of the 40 Playfair Ave. Please do not use the main entrance. Masks are required at all times while indoors during the check-in and screening process. 
• Masks are not required outdoors, including in the garden area. 
• Residents visiting with unvaccinated visitors will be escorted to the garden by VCT staff at their appointment time. 

Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) Requirements 

• All vaccinated visitors, who have been vaccinated with 3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, will be required to participate in RAT, a minimum of two times per week on non-consecutive days. 
• All vaccinated visitors, who have been vaccinated with 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and are eligible for a booster dose, i.e., have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, must be tested a minimum of three times per week on non-consecutive days. 
• All vaccinated visitors, who do not require a 3rd dose, i.e., children under 18 years of age, will be required to have a RAT, a minimum of two times per week on non-consecutive days. 
• Vaccinated visitors, who had tested positive within 90 days of their visit, are not required to participate in rapid antigen testing. Proof of a positive test will be required. Rapid testing resumes 90 days after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Testing Centre Hours of Operation 

VCT received a few requests for the consideration of extending the testing clinic’s hours to accommodate visitors who work and are not able to reach VCT in time to test. We are happy to announce that we have been able to secure staffing to allow extended hours of the clinic, effective Monday, May 9, 2022, until further notice. The clinic hours starting on Monday, May 9, 2022 will be as follows: 

• 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Monday to Friday. 
• 6:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. – Saturday and Sunday. 

VCT’s next virtual Family Town Hall via Zoom is scheduled on Thursday, June 9^th 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Please send us your questions at info@villacolombo.on.ca by 12:00 p.m. on June 9. To access the Family Town Hall, please click here or by dialing 1-647-374-4685 webinar ID: 885 4632 7023. 

Thank you again for your ongoing supports! 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers. 

Sincerely, 

Toni Dell’Aquila 

Executive Director