The former Branch located at 185 Royal Avenue will be one of two temporary shelters opened by the City of Kamloops during the pandemic (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

NEW TEMPORARY SHELTERS

Two temporary shelters opening in Kamloops to help homeless better self-isolate

Apr 23, 2020 | 3:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is opening up two temporary overflow emergency shelters in response to how COVID-19 is impacting the homeless population.

In a release, Mayor Ken Christian says with Emerald Centre and The Mustard Seed increasing physical distancing between shelter beds, it has reduced the number of beds available. One of the temporary shelters will be at 185 Royal Avenue, former home of The Branch, which closed down in February after Rosethorn House opened on West Victoria Street. The other shelter will be at Memorial Arena.

“To immediately address the capacity concerns, the Royal Avenue temporary shelter will be activated as early as next week,” said Christian. “If that location exceeds capacity, the entire operation will move over to Memorial Arena. It’s important that everyone has the opportunity to physically distance themselves and practise good hygiene in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

In addition, the City of Kamloops is opening all washroom facilities and relaxing its enforcement of the Temporary Overnight Shelter bylaw during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christian says the measures will help the homeless population to self-isolate during the health crisis, something that’s not always possible while living on the streets.

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“We need to be prepared to support these members of our community at any stage of COVID-19: from prevention to treatment and recovery,” said Christian. “This population has a high proportion of immune-compromised individuals and their inability to self-isolate poses a risk to themselves and those around them.”

The Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society has also extended its hours at the mini-storage facility on West Victoria Street. It offers a washroom, laundry and shower facilities for the homeless.

There are also 50 hotel rooms available for anyone awaiting testing or who have tested positive for COVID-19.