To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that asylum seekers and people who do not have a settled immigration status are encouraged to seek medical assistance as appropriate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered on
7 May 2020
The Home Office has been working with a Public Health England embed during the current crisis and we have put in place a number of measures to support people in the asylum system who are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, including working closely with providers to make sure the most vulnerable people within the system receive the support they need.
Those currently accommodated within our support accommodation can receive advice and have access to our Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) provider, Migrant Help. They can contact Migrant Help 24 hours a day on a freephone number if they need assistance or guidance. AIRE are working closely with the Home Office’s Asylum Safeguarding Hub.
All asylum accommodation providers continue to provide translated public health guidance, available in 12 languages, and instructions to service users and we are looking at options to provide a level of internet access across our Initial Accommodation estate.