COVID-19 Resources

updated: 5 April 2021

A selection of relevant external resources and guidance

May 2021 update:

Resource from Doctors of the World details the rights to free health care for EU nationals following 30 June 2021. Download file.

April 2021 update:

16 March update:

Doctors of the World's COVID-19 vaccine guidance has been translated into 19 languages (with a further 11 to come) and is now available on their website to download and distribute amongst your networks. This new and comprehensive guidance has been produced in partnership with the British Red Cross and with support from Migration Exchange. https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/

3 February update:

Groundswell release information hub on vaccines: https://groundswell.org.uk/the-covid-19-vaccine/

21 May Update:

• Section on Information in different languages added
• Policy section updated

Information in different languages

• Advice for people experiencing homelessness, from Groundswell. https://groundswell.org.uk/coronavirus/. Translations in Romanian and Polish available. 
• Further to recent changes in the Government and NHS official guidance on COVID-19, Doctors of the World UK have been updating its translated guidance in 60 languages. The updated version includes changes in social distancing rules and the new symptom of coronavirus (see attached for contents). Please note the guidance is valid across the UK. https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
• Public Health England has translated the message that COVID-19 testing and treatment is free of charge, irrespective of immigration status in 40 languages (including English). Please visit the PHE Migrant Health Guide https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide#main-messages under sub-heading ‘Translated advice and guidance for the public’ to access the full set of languages. These translations are based on the simplified message in English available on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/visitors-from-outside-the-european-economic-area-eea/
• Infographics about coronavirus symptoms and MythBusters in different languages are available here: https://covid19graphics.info/

Housing advice

• Advice for those who have a coronavirus related housing issue or supporting someone who does: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/coronavirus
• Outline of support for victims of domestic abuse

Advice on managing addiction 

• Release, a UK based advice service on drugs and drug law, has outlined advice for people who use drugs: https://www.release.org.uk/blog/drug-treatment-and-coronaviruscovid19
• NHS Speciality Guide – Clinical guide for the management of people with alcohol dependence during the coronavirus pandemic (PDF): click here
• COVID-19 guidance for commissioners and service providers for those dependent on drugs or alcohol: click here
• Statement by the UN expert on the right to health on the protection of people who use drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic: click here

Key government websites for updates

• NHS 111 coronavirus online screening (takes 1 minute to complete on a smartphone):  https:/https://111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19/
• Government advice for COVID-19 (updated daily at 2 pm): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Guidance for organisations and religious institutions

• Government guidance for homeless services released 16 March

COVID-19: guidance on services for people experiencing rough sleeping: Government guidance says hostels and day centres do not need to close at the current time

• Homeless Link Guidance

Recommendations for action and Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.homeless.org.uk/connect/blogs/2020/mar/05/covid-19-coronavirus-outbreak

• Guidance for Churches from Church of England

17/03: In a joint letter, Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu say: “Please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it. Ensure the night shelters wherever possible are kept open." 

• Guidance for Methodist Churches

"If your church runs a foodbank or night shelter please take notice of all the advice that has been given by the Government and the NHS. If you are concerned about older volunteers we advise that (in line with the guidance) they should stay at home." https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus-guidance/

• Guidance from Housing Justice

https://housingjustice.org.uk/what-we-do/night-shelters/coronavirus-night-shelters

Policy and advocacy links

• Homeless Link launch #EveryoneInForGood campaign

21 May: Homeless link call for urgent national and local action so that nobody is forced to sleep rough after lockdown. https://www.homeless.org.uk/connect/blogs/2020/may/18/everyoneinforgood-%E2%80%93-ending-rough-sleeping-for-good-after-lockdown

• Open letter to the Prime Minister on the Government’s response to protecting people experiencing homelessness in the coronavirus outbreak

18 March: Glass Door stands behind the open letter from homeless charity chief executives to the Prime Minister calling on the government to provide people sleeping rough or in hostels/homeless shelters with testing and accommodation to safely self-isolate. Furthermore, they call on the removal of the legal barriers for individuals needing support (such as the need to prove a local connection or prove they are not intentionally homeless). 

• Joint letter to the Prime Minister – Coronavirus; policy recommendations to protect people who are experiencing homelessness and insecure migration statuses

19 March: In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Glass Door and over 60 other charities lay out a set of key policy recommendations that would ensure that vulnerable migrants experiencing homelessness and destitution are able to access vital support, healthcare and appropriate accommodation, in-line with public health guidance to combat the spread of Covid-19. Read the open letter and press release, both coordinated by the National Director of the No Accommodation Network (NACCOM).