Guidance for Housing and Homelessness Sector and Programs Serving Vulnerable Populations in Community Settings

This page is intended to assist those operating emergency shelters, transition houses and other housing programs serving vulnerable populations.

Protect Yourself

Practice Good Hygiene

• Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use a Health Canada approved hand sanitizer if you don’t have soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue (immediately dispose of after use).
• Frequently clean and disinfect high-touch areas. This includes toilets, bedside tables, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces with diluted bleach or a Health Canada approved disinfectant.

Wear a Mask

Wearing a mask is an added layer of protection and can help prevent the spread of respiratory infections including COVID-19, especially when physical distancing is not possible. By wearing face masks, we can protect ourselves and others by reducing the spread of droplets, even if someone has no symptoms.

Get Vaccinated

• It is important to receive any COVID-19 vaccine dose that you are eligible for.
• To book your COVID-19 vaccine visit: Get the Shot – COVID-19 Vaccine (gov.nl.ca)
• For more information about Influenza and to book your Flu shot visit:Get The Shot – Time For The Shot

Improve Ventilation

Combined with individual public health measures, good indoor ventilation helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Open windows and doors regularly, even if just for a few minutes at a time.
• Use a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, where available. If possible, run the HVAC system fan continuously.
• Consider using a certified portable air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as added protection, particularly where enhancing natural and mechanical ventilation is not possible.
• Spend time outdoors, where possible.

If You Are Feeling Sick

• Stay away from others as much as possible if you are sick, unless it is to get medical attention.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick if possible.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 are defined as:

Having ONE of the following:

• Fever (including chills/sweats)
• Cough (new or worsening)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes/conditions)
• Sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• Headache not related to other known causes or conditions
• Acute loss of sense of smell or taste
• Unusual fatigue, lack of energy
• New onset of muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours

If you have symptoms, stay away from others as much as possible until your symptoms have improved and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours.

COVID-19 Rapid Self-Tests

You may choose to use a rapid self-test if you have them on hand.  The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is sending two COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests containing five tests each (or 10 tests for each household) to every household in the province to help reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 rapid self-tests are currently being provided to all public libraries and to all MHA offices across the province. A supply of rapid self-tests will be made available to organizations who support vulnerable populations as an additional access point.

Visit How to get a Rapid Antigen Test – COVID-19 (gov.nl.ca) for more information.

The instructions on how to do a rapid-self test depend on which brand of test you have. Please visit Rapid Self-Testing Instructions for more information and detailed instructions.

You can safely dispose used rapid self-tests in your household or site garbage. For answers to frequently asked questions visit Rapid Self-Testing Frequently Asked Questions – COVID-19 (gov.nl.ca)

If you are a higher risk of severe disease, you should test for COVID-19 because, if positive, you may be eligible for early treatment. 

Repeat testing improves accuracy. If the first rapid self-test is negative, and you continue to have symptoms, do another test 48 hours later.

If you choose to get tested and you test positive, stay away from others as much as possible, until your symptoms have improved and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. Contact your primary care provider or pharmacist if you think you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment.

When You Feel Better

When you are feeling better, for 10 days after your symptoms started, you should:

• Wear a mask
• Avoid non-essential visits to high-risk areas, including hospitals, long-term care homes, large crowded settings, and social gatherings.
• Avoid non-essential close contact with high-risk individuals, including those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults.
• If residents of your congregate living settings have symptoms they should stay in a designated space if one available and limit contact with others as much as possible until symptoms have improved.
• If individuals with symptoms have to be around others, masks should be strongly encouraged.

Prevention within Housing Programs Serving Vulnerable Populations

The following should be considered to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 within shelters, transition housing or supportive housing environments:

Cleaning and handwashing protocols

Ensure staff are aware of appropriate cleaning protocols, and that high-touch areas such as door knobs, hand rails, bathrooms, common areas, dining rooms, are cleaned more frequently than usual. Ensure the cleaning supplies used are appropriate.

• For guidance on environmental cleaning, please visit the Cleaning and Disinfection page.
• Encourage proper handwashing with soap and water. Post handwashing signage in common areas.
• Encourage employees to use Health Canada approved hand sanitizer (typically contains at least 60% alcohol) when water and soap are unavailable.
• Remind all staff and clients to wash their hands when:
  • They arrive and before they leave;
  • Before and after staff work with a client; and
  • Before and after eating.
• Encourage good respiratory etiquette
• It is the responsibility of the shelter to appropriately train designated staff around cleaning, disinfection, and proper use of products.
• It is the responsibility of the shelter to ensure enough staff are trained in the event of an outbreak and staffing shortages.

Print your own signage

Prevent the spread

Instruct employees to stay home if they are sick.

Post signs at entrances instructing visitors not to visit if they:

• Have one or more symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild;
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• Avoid sharing personal items (e.g., toothbrushes, razors, eating utensils).
• Run dishwashers at the highest temperatures.
• Wash laundry thoroughly, and wear gloves when handling soiled laundry. When removing gloves, ensure hands are washed well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Wash with regular laundry soap and hot water (60-90°C) and dry well.
• Clothing and linens belonging to an ill person can be washed with other laundry.
• Appropriate outbreak plans should be developed by each site outlining how the site will operate effectively during an outbreak of respiratory illness and multiple clients are presenting with symptoms. Some aspects to consider are:
  • Identification of separate spaces for symptomatic individuals.
  • What services are essential for proper function of site and must be maintained and to what
  • What services can scale back or go virtual or appointment based during outbreak
  • How clients are to be screened and how

Harm Reduction and Access to Health Services

• Ensure harm reduction supplies are available to eliminate the sharing of supplies for persons using substances (e.g., pipes, needles). The Safe Works Access Program (SWAP) can provide supplies through contactless delivery and mail-outs.
• Contact SWAP –St. John’s Provincial office at (709) 757-7927 or Corner Brook (709) 634-7927.
• SWAP is available through the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre in Stephenville and CMHA at (709) 649-1013. Delivery service on Wednesdays between 6:00pm and 9:00pm.
• Ensure naloxone kits are accessible to prevent opioid poisonings.
• To find the nearest Naloxone distribution site, call 811 or refer to the Map of Distribution Sites
• For those in the St. John’s metro area you may access the services of the Eastern Health Harm Reduction Team, which are available to all clients of the Downtown Health Collaborative regardless of the site affiliation.
• Located at 50 Mundy Pond Road, a walk in clinic is available Monday – Friday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
• A mobile clinic is located is various places throughout downtown St. John’s during the week, including various shelters and community partner organizations.
• Programs may choose to continue to use physical barriers to protect employees who have interactions with clients (e.g., in-take staff).
• Programs may choose to continue to use sneeze guards at the check-in desk or place an additional table between employees and clients.
• Programs may consider having extra supplies on hand, including:

• • Soap;
  • Health Canada approved hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol;
  • Tissues;
  • Disinfecting wipes;
  • Trash baskets;
  • Gloves;
  • Disposable and/or reusable non-medical masks; and
  • Paper plates, disposable cups, and utensils.

• Extra pens for individuals to use (to be sanitized after use)

Access to a Primary Care Provider – Nurse Practitioner or Physician

• For those in St. John’s there is a Mundy Pond Walk-in Clinic available. This community walk in clinic is for adults and children without a primary care provider (i.e. family doctor or nurse practitioner) providing access to health services to treat minor health issues, injuries and promote health and wellness. Weekday hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Weekend hours are Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Individuals may register with Patient Connect if they are without a Primary Care Provider (Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner) in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).  Individuals can register online https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/patient-connect-nl/  or by phone 1-833-913-4679,  Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. VRS calls are welcome.
• Individuals may also call 811 if needed.

Communication with Employees and Clients

Communicate regularly with employees and clients as follows:

• Provide information about prevention guidelines and public health information;
• Answer questions and explain what they can do to protect themselves, clients, and other employees;
• Encourage hand washing and proper cough etiquette;
• Encourage use of masks;
• Support clients with managing stress, and anxiety.
• If clients are finding it difficult to cope or feel anxious, please support them to speak with a trained mental health peer supporter by calling the Provincial Warm Line (1- 855-753-2560), open 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. If clients are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 811, available 24/7, to speak with a registered nurse who is a trained crisis intervener.   Additional information about the many options to support staff and client mental wellness can be found at www.Bridgethegapp.ca.

Screening and Intake Procedures

• Sites may set up regular checks for clients (i.e., on entry to shelter, prior to engaging in recreational activities, communal dining, etc.) to identify those with symptoms.
• Clients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms should be placed in a separate area if possible and encouraged to wear a mask. Wearing a mask is an added layer of protection and can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially when physical distancing is not possible.
• Sites may develop a plan to limit a client’s activities (i.e., recreational activities, communal dining, etc.) depending on if they are presenting with COVID-19 symptoms.

 Visits to Emergency Departments

• For medical emergencies, call 911.
• Consult a client’s physician or nurse practitioner or call 811 (if they do not have a family doctor) for other health matters prior to sending the individual to the emergency department.

For specific guidance about interactions with vulnerable populations in community settings please refer to your regional health authority guidance documents.

Regional Public Health Contact Numbers:

Eastern Health:  1-709-752-3918

Central Health:  1-800-563-3690

Western Health:  1-709-649-5905

Labrador-Grenfell Health:  1-709-899-6700