Sadiq Khan, Mayor of the British capital, asks the government to save the homeless people in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of the British capital, called on the

government this week to take decisive engagement to protect the homeless people of London. He warned that hundreds of homeless Londoners would face an unenviable choice this winter: either spend a frosty night outside or risk contracting the coronavirus in a communal shelter. In a letter to Robert Jenrick, the Housing Secretary, Mayor is demanding that vulnerable homeless Londoners be given the same protection as members of the rest of society and called for the protection of winter shelters in London from coronavirus.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “COVID-19 has impacted Londoners all across our city – but it is the most vulnerable who are most at risk of getting seriously ill or dying from the virus. It would simply be callous and inhumane to tell rough sleepers that the price of staying off the streets this winter could be catching COVID-19. Homeless people deserve safety and protection from COVID as much as anyone – this is particularly the case given they often have underlying health conditions. Local authorities, charities and others supporting homeless people this winter now need urgent clarity and guidance from ministers. If current Government policy is that it is acceptable to house rough sleepers in non-COVID secure accommodation this winter it needs an immediate rethink, and more resources given to local authorities urgently to set up accommodation in alternative locations such as hotels.”

Naomi Atkin

Photo by Philafrenzy, Wikimedia commons.