Publication
COVID-19
From International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS); Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth understands that this is a stressful and worrying time for everyone and we want to assure accommodation centre residents that their safety and wellbeing is our priority.
To that end, a wide range of measures have been put in place across the accommodation network to address any COVID-19 related issues should they arise. These measures were implemented in collaboration with the HSE and informed by regional public health officials and infection control teams.
The measures, which are kept under regular review by a joint HSE/DCEDIY monitoring group, include:
- provision for self-isolation facilities in Centres and offsite self-isolation at HSE and IPAS isolation facilities
- increased capacity to support physical and social distancing
- enhanced cleaning regimes and provision of PPE
- regular communications and information, translated into several languages, on public health advice to residents and centre managers
- cocooning of all medically vulnerable and over 65 residents
- HSE Accommodation scheme for healthcare workers
Accommodation Centres are shared by people from many different backgrounds and faiths. A significant event for Muslim residents is the holy month of Ramadan, which commenced on 13 April and lasted until 12 May. Centre managers took measures to adapt the daily running of centres to accommodate the needs of both Muslim and non-Muslim residents during Ramadan with an emphasis on mutual respect, tolerance and peaceful cohabitation.
Centres put measures in place to support residents:
- to accommodate meal times or preparation facilities for those who were fasting
- to make sure that people had a space to pray in a way that was safe and complied with the public health advice and social distancing guidelines
- to provide information on virtual alternatives to traditional gatherings for prayer and Iftar
Due to the risk of virus transmission, current restrictions and controls per HSE and Centre guidelines will remain in place. This means that there can be no external visitors or communal gatherings. We ask for your understanding and cooperation in this to ensure the safety and health of all our residents and staff.
COVID-19 სახელმძღვანელო მითითებები IPAS განსახლების ცენტრებისთვის - 2021 წლის 17 მაისი
For full guidance on how each of the five levels of government restrictions impacts on IPAS centres see the document below:
Please follow public health guidelines as much as possible in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
We are encouraging all centres to study and follow the advice from the Department of Health, the HSE and the WHO.
How COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreads
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) can be spread:
- directly, through contact with an infected person’s body fluids (for example, droplets from coughing or sneezing)
- indirectly, through contact with surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on and which are, therefore, contaminated with the virus
Simple household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces. Clean the surface first and then use a disinfectant.
Things you can do to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) include:
- wash your hands properly and regularly
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze
- wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub:
1. after coughing and sneezing
2. after toilet use
3. before eating
4. before and after preparing food
One of the most effective ways to prevent transmission of COVID-19, is washing your hands regularly with soap and water.
This video from the WHO tells you how to thoroughly wash your hands:
Download a COVID-19 information poster in your language below:
- Department of Health - https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/
- Health Service Executive (HSE) - https://www.hse.ie/eng/
