Yesterday, the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) amended Directive #2 for Health Care Providers , allowing regulated health professionals to begin a gradual return to providing non-urgent, in-person care. This follows the May 14 release of A Framework for Reopening our Province announcement that the phase one reopening would allow “in-person counselling to resume including psychotherapy and other mental health and support services.”

The revised directive specifies that health care professionals can return to in-person care provided they follow guidance from their regulatory college and the Ministry of Health's guidance COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart.
Given that the risk of infection continues to exist, in cases where you have the option of providing e-therapy or in-person therapy, we advise that you still choose e-therapy. If you choose to provide in-person care, you should be clear as to why you have made this decision. Consideration should be given to the inherent risks given the client, your modality of practice and your ability to ensure the use of best practices for preventing and spreading COVID-19.

The Guidance for Return to In-Person Practice resources developed by CRPO are consistent with the Ministry of Health's Operational Requirements and so can be used by RPs in planning their initial or further return to in-person practice. CRPO staff will be doing a through review of the Ministry recommendations and will make any needed revisions or additions to the resources. A revised guidance document will be posted to the CRPO COVID-19 resource page shortly.