Iqaluit’s homeless shelters need self-isolation spaces, says director – Nunatsiaq News
Chief public health officer says Nunavut’s working on plan for medical travellers returning to shelters
20 March 2020
With vulnerable clients and, in some cases, already overcrowded spaces, shelters in Iqaluit are taking extra precautions to ensure COVID-19 doesn’t spread.
But while Nunavummiut are being told to self-isolate and practise social distancing, shelters like the Uquutaq men’s shelter are regularly at capacity and use leftover space to accommodate additional people, making self-isolation nearly impossible.
Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s chief public health officer, announced on Wednesday, March 18, that anyone entering the territory should self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
But for Uquutaq, it’s not that easy.
