PICNet has played an integral role in the provincial response to the COVID-19 pandemic in BC, in partnership with health authority infection prevention and control programs, the Ministry of Health, Workplace Health and Safety and Public Health. PICNet has informed policy and created several infection prevention and control guidelines and resources to support the province during the COVID-19 pandemic, in support of the Ministry of Health Policy Communiques, as provided below. In 2023, the policy communiques shifted from SARS-CoV-2 content to the inclusion of other viral respiratory illnesses for a comprehensive approach during the respiratory seasons.
| Date | Description | Communiques |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 11, 2020 | Policy Communique 2020-01: Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19 | 2020-01 IPC for COVID-19 |
| Mar 6, 2020 | Policy Communique 2020-02: Fit Testing for N95 Respirators | 2020-02 N95 Fit Testing |
| Mar 20, 2020 | Policy Communique 2020-01: Replaces and amalgamates the February 2020 version of Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19 and policy communique 2020-02 Fit Testing for N95 Respirators. | 2020-01 IPC (Mar Update) |
| May 19, 2020 | Policy Communique 2020-01: Replaces the March 2020 version of Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19. Additions to the document include updated guidance for LTC and Assisted Living settings and updated family and visitor guidance. | 2020-01 IPC (May Update) |
| Nov 4, 2020 | Policy Communique 2020-05: Mask Use in Health Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The document outlines MOH requirements for mask use by health care workers, non-clinical staff, patients and visitors to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. | 2020-05 Mask Use |
| Jun 18, 2021 | Policy Communique 2020-05: This document replaces the November 2020 version of Mask Use in Health Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The document outlines MOH requirements for mask use by health care workers, non-clinical staff, patients and visitors to prevent the transmission of COVID 19 within health care facilities. | |
| Aug 31, 2021 | Policy Communique 2020-05 replaces the June 18, 2021, version of Updated Mask Use in Health Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic. | 2020-05 Mask Use (Aug Update) |
| Oct 13, 2023 | Policy Communique 2023-04 replaces the policy communiques (2020-01) on infection prevention and control of COVID-19 and (2020-05) on mask use in health care facilities. The new policy communique covers infection prevention and control of viral respiratory illnesses. | 2023-04 Viral Respiratory Illnesses |
| May 2, 2024 | Updates and replaces the October 2023 Policy Communique (above). Outlines the updated Ministry of Health requirements for preventing and controlling viral respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza. | 2024 VRI Policy Update |