This technical guidance identifies 10 policy objectives for decision-makers, policy-makers and national or regional health authorities as they strive to prevent and manage the COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care settings.

While those tasked with making decisions for long-term care systems are often structurally separate from those managing health systems, during the various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic certain objectives should be pursued in cooperation and given equal weight in official guidance, public communication and planning measures. Such cooperation not only would help to strengthen and secure the availability of long-term care services for people receiving these services, but would also help to minimize pressure on health systems during the pandemic.

The focus here is on older people above the age of 65 years who use long-term care services in their homes, day centres or designated facilities (residential homes and nursing homes).