A homeless shelter has closed after a guest and member of staff both tested positive for Covid-19.
The Glasgow City Mission, run by a Christian charity, helps vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city.
It is usually open between December and March and can accommodate up to 40 people.
However, following the positive tests they have been told to shut and are now redirecting people to alternative accommodation.
A statement on Glasgow City Mission Facebook page read: ‘We have been instructed by the Scottish Government to close our night shelter with immediate effect.
‘We confirm that the shelter is now closed, although staff will be available outside the shelter tonight to direct our guests appropriately.
‘We have been informed that one of our guests and one of our staff have tested positive for the virus.
‘We have taken the necessary steps to protect our other guests and staff at this difficult time.”
It added: ‘The Covid-19 crisis has reinforced to us at Glasgow City Mission that shelters are not an appropriate accommodation solution during a pandemic.
‘We are grateful for the response of the First Minister this afternoon and now await confirmation from our partners at the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP) what alternative appropriate accommodation will be made available and how to direct our guests to access it.’
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The number of people in Scotland who have died after contracting Covid-19 has increased to six, with a rise in the reported number of cases to 266.
Continuing advice is being issued by the Scottish Government for those with any symptoms to self-isolate for seven days.
The charity said that homeless people in shelters are not able to do that and called for a better solution to allow ‘isolation,’ especially for those in vulnerable groups.
They said the current situation of housing people in shelter-style accommodation showed ‘contempt not compassion.’
They added: ‘Covid-19 is going to change how we think about many things, we trust that it will be a turning point for the way in which we approach the accommodation of all vulnerable people who have sought a safe haven in Scotland.’
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: ‘GCHSCP is busy putting in place contingency plans to reduce risk to vulnerable homeless people, many of whom have underlying health conditions.
‘This involves working with a range of stakeholders including Police Scotland and those concerned with housing and health as well as third sector partners like the Simon Community.
‘This is a charity we work closely with and whose Street Team build up relationships with rough sleepers.
‘We’re currently identifying temporary furnished flats that would allow people to self-isolate if necessary as well as self- contained spaces within communal accommodation.’
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