Government is now allowing the gradual reinstatement of in-person family visitation for children and youth in care, and the Minister responsible is shining some light on how that will work.

Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, Lisa Dempster says social workers in her department will begin developing specific plans for each family situation.

Dempster says they’ll be working with individual families, but things will look a little different.

She explains that the number of visits per week may change, for example, they could be reduced from four per week to two. As well, they will need PPE, and the location of the visit may be in a different, safer place like a park or outdoor area.

Dempster says those are all things that will continue to be worked between the families and social workers while following the advice of Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.

Family visitations were suspended due to COVID-19 on March 24, something Dempster says was an incredibly difficult decision.

She says they recognize how vitally important the bond is between parents and children.

The response to the reinstatement, Dempster says has been overwhelmingly positive and the end goal is reunifying children with their families.