Implement voluntary lockdown in all shelter homes: DUSIB to SMAs
New Delhi: Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) on Thursday asked Shelter Management Agencies (SMAs) to implement voluntary lockdown in every one of their shelter homes and advise homeless people to stay indoors unless absolutely essential.
A top official told the Millennium Post that a meeting was held on March 19 between DUSIB officials and other stakeholders in the matter. In the meeting, it was decided that safety measures should be taken to safeguard homeless people residing in shelter homes in light of the Coronavirus crisis.
"The shelter homes in North, East and Central Delhi should be quarantined so that separate spaces are made available for suspected persons residing in shelter homes. The Department of Health will assist SMAs to provide all basic facilities," was one of the conclusions of the meeting.
There are over 10,000 homeless people in the city. Most of them are involved in petty works and depend on their daily wages.
According to sources, DUSIB officials have interacted with homeless people who told them that they want to protect themselves from Covid-19 but they were also worried about how they would feed themselves and their families. During the meeting it was suggested that lunch and dinner may be provided to the homeless people residing in these shelter homes.
DUSIB member expert Bipin Rai said that 10 teams of doctors will conduct regular checkup for homeless people in shelter homes. "We have told the caretakers of these homes to keep a close tab on the health condition of every homeless person," he said. Sanitizers, soaps and thermometers are being provided at homes.
According to the official, the homeless people will be told to sleep at one place rather than changing regularly and if some new person arrives, he or she will be provided with necessary utilities.
According to DUSIB data, there are more than 230 shelter homes in Delhi, which include permanent ones, portacabins and tents, which can accommodate 18,538 people. As of Wednesday night, more than 7,600 people have taken shelter in these homes.
