The homeless population is likely to be at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, and less able to manage the risk of transmission of infection. Hostels should implement daily monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms among residents and staff. Each resident should be assessed for the main symptoms listed above. Everyone should follow these general principles to help prevent the spread of infections caused by COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses:
ensure ventilation of all spaces in the hostel
washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitiser. This is especially important after you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, before you eat or handle food, after coming into contact with surfaces touched by many others, such as handles, handrails and light switches, and after coming into contact with shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms
avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin and washing hands or using a hand sanitiser. If there are no tissues available cough or sneeze into the crook of the elbow, not onto hands
cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces in the hostel, such as door handles, handrails, tabletops, and electronic devices (such as phones)
Some individuals are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they were to catch COVID-19. Providers should think particularly carefully about supporting these individuals to take the precautions described in the guidance for people with COVID-19 and their contacts. Face coverings COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets and aerosols that are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person. Face coverings are mainly worn to protect others but can also protect the wearer. By covering the nose and mouth, they reduce the amount of virus released when people breathe, speak, cough or sneeze. Face coverings reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, the government suggests that you continue to wear one especially when there is close contact between people in enclosed, crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. Providers of hostel accommodation are strongly recommended to support the use of face coverings in these circumstances. Hostel providers should consider providing face coverings at reception for all residents. It is important that face coverings fit securely around the face so as to safely cover the mouth and the nose. Multi-layered face coverings are recommended as they provide greater protection. Further guidance on face coverings is available. Staff may need to wear face masks in some circumstances as part of personal protective equipment (PPE) use. Testing The main symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell. If a resident has any of these symptoms listed above, even if their symptoms are mild, they should follow the guidance for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and their contacts and arrange to have a PCR test. They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital except in an emergency. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. This means they could be spreading the virus without knowing it. Regular testing with LFD tests increases the chances of detecting COVID-19 when a person is infectious but is not displaying symptoms, helping to make sure people do not spread the infection. Rapid lateral flow testing is currently still available for free to anybody. Those working in hostels are included in the list of essential workers prioritised for COVID-19 testing. Find out more about how to get LFD tests. Residents and staff should consider taking an LFD test if they will be spending time in crowded and enclosed spaces and before visiting people who are at higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19.