COVID Safety Procedures

The Burnaby Hospice Society continues to offer some in-person counselling sessions at the Burnaby office with enhanced safety protocols.

Some Things Have Changed:

Doing Our Part to Respond to COVID-19: All clients attending in-person sessions are now required to wear face masks as per BC’s Provincial Health Services Authority.

Worksafe BC is currently recommending in-person counselling only when necessary. Some examples which might be considered necessary are:

inability to access technology or private space.
certain therapeutic modalities that require physical presence.
other barriers to efficacy of telehealth options (which you can discuss with your counsellor).

If you are immune compromised, high risk or live with someone who is, please consider whether in-person therapy is a necessary risk for you. This is not a one-size-fits-all time in our lives.

If you choose to come to your session in person, here is what is different:

Our waiting room space is currently closed. Please arrive only at your appointed time, no earlier.
We will not be providing water or tea at this time. Please bring your own beverage if desired.
If you like to take notes, please bring your own paper and pen.
Both you and your counsellor will wear face masks and maintain a safe distance from each other (no hugs or handshakes at this time).
Gloves will be provided and must be worn at all times while participating in Art Therapy or utilizing any common use resources ( books, games etc…).
Do your best to avoid touching your face, and sneeze into your sleeve or tissue.
Wash your hands prior to entering the office, or use hand sanitizer.

What can I expect when I arrive?

All individuals must sanitize their hands prior to entering; sanitizer will be provided near the 5th floor elevator.
All clients must wait outside or in the 1st floor elevator lobby until their appointment time.
Clients will be asked to show up no earlier than 5 minutes prior to their appointment.
No shared food for group meetings; no cups or utensils provided; individuals must bring their own foods (including drinks) and/or utensils.
Clients, staff and guests are required to participate in 6’ social distancing at all times.

**You may not do an in-office session (and therefore will need to do your session online or over the phone) if you:**

Are unable to wear a mask for medical or personal reasons.
Have visited or passed through another country or province in the last 14 days.
Have been in close contact with anyone who has visited another country or province in the last 14 days.
Have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
Have experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms within the last 14 days (including fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory illness, or difficulty breathing).

For your health and safety, the following in office protocols are being followed:

Counselling office will be thoroughly cleaned after each client.
Elevators and common touch points will be cleaned regularly.
The Office will have increased and enhanced cleaning on a regular basis.

COVID Safety Procedures

If you choose to come to your session in person, here is what is different:

What can I expect when I arrive?

**You may not do an in-office session (and therefore will need to do your session online or over the phone) if you:**

For your health and safety, the following in office protocols are being followed:

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