COVID-19 Parent/Caregiver presence policy:
In order to help keep everyone safe and minimize the chance of transmission of infections during this pandemic, at this time only one family caregiver (a parent, guardian, or family representative) is allowed to accompany children and youth at CHEO. Family caregivers will be screened before entering CHEO's main campus, and will not be allowed to enter if they are sick. All children, youth and family caregivers must enter through the main entrance for clinic visits, or the Emergency Department in urgent cases. Other entrances are closed.
Until further notice and effective immediately:
ONE family caregiver will be allowed to accompany children and youth while at CHEO, whether in clinic, emergency department, or as an inpatient.
Children and youth who are admitted as inpatients may have two designated family caregivers, though only ONE may be on site at a time, including overnights. For example, one family caregiver may accompany their child during the day and another stay with the child overnight, or they can swap out in shifts throughout the day, etc.
Again, only those who have been screened daily will be permitted at the bedside.
Siblings are not permitted. We appreciate that this requires you to make childcare arrangements for any siblings, and we are so thankful for your support in doing so.
Visitors are not permitted.
We want to protect our children and youth and help them get well quickly. Our visitors' policy balances family-centred care with the need to prevent the spread of infection. We appreciate your help as we work to keep CHEO a healthy place for all children and youth.
Here are some things you should be aware of:
Allergy alert!
Some of our children, youth and staff have severe allergies, so please remember:
- do not bring nuts, nut products or latex products (like balloons)
- avoid using scented products like perfume, cologne, aftershave, body sprays or hair care products
- shop wisely at CHEO by checking ingredients and asking questions, as you would elsewhere
Preventing the spread of infections
We want to make sure our children and youth get well quickly. Visitors can help us by:
- staying home if you are sick (e.g. you have a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, a new rash or are feeling ill)
- cleaning your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel (e.g. must wash with soap and water if you can see dirt or if there is mucous on your hands)
Searching for restricted items
There are times when we need to check patients for things that could cause harm to themselves or others. We do this when we feel a search is needed, to keep everyone at CHEO safe. Restricted items can be any personal belonging that could harm a patient or someone else. Learn more about a restricted items search.
Smoking on our property
Ontario's hospitals are smoke-free zones — including hospital grounds. Provincial Tobacco Control Officers patrol hospital grounds to ensure the province's no-smoking laws are being followed.
Anyone caught smoking on hospital property will be ticketed and could be fined up to $5,000.
To smoke, you must leave hospital property. We also ask that you respect others and don't litter.
Keep in mind:
- parking lots are on CHEO property therefore smoking in personal vehicles parked on our lots is also prohibited
- using e-cigarettes and vapes are not permitted anywhere on hospital property
If you are ready to quit smoking, the City of Ottawa offers resources to help.