Coronavirus poses major threat to homeless

THE Covid-19 crisis poses very serious challenges for people who are either homeless or living in homeless accommodation, according to the Galway Simon Community.

The charity has set up a Response Team – advised by top medical experts – to deal with the challenges being presented by the virus for both clients and staff.

Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community, said that enhanced hygiene and infection control measures had been introduced with clients being supported ‘around good hygiene practices’ in an effort to stop the transmission of the virus.

“Rooms have been identified within Galway Simon’s Services that can be used by people supported by the organisation, should they need to self-isolate.

“Galway Simon Community is wholly focused on the health and safety of our clients, staff and volunteers and in ensuring that we can continue to run services for those who are homeless and at risk of homelessness in Galway,” she said.

Homelessness Prevention Services will continue operating. However, support will be provided over the phone and by email/internet rather than in meetings and there may be delays, given protocols in place to protect clients, staff and the general public around transmission of Coronavirus.

“We have an extraordinary team of committed staff and volunteers, who are pulling out all the stops to ensure that we do everything possible to keep people within our community safe at this very difficult time,” she said.

Sharon Fitzpatrick, Head of Development at the Galway COPE charity that provides support services for homeless and older people as well as those who suffer domestic abuse, described the current situation as ‘changing and dynamic’.

“COPE Galway are acutely conscious that those who are homeless are a vulnerable group for whom we have concerns and we are working in partnership with HSE Public Health and Galway City Council in relation to this guidance.

“For anyone concerned about homelessness please make contact with Galway City Council on 091 536400 for assessment and COPE Galway at 1800 788887,” she said.

The HSE have issued detailed guidelines about preventing the spread of Covid-19 in settings for vulnerable groups such as the homeless, travellers, refugees/asylum seekers and others.

“Current information suggests that Covid-19 can spread easily between people and could be spread by an infected person even before they develop any symptoms.

“For these reasons, we suggest greater attention to cleaning and general hygiene, social distancing measures such as visitor restrictions, limited social mixing generally and especially indoors in communal areas (at least less than 50 persons), as well as greater support to those with chronic illness/disability,” the HSE advise.