That is true of direct provision, the system under which asylum seekers are housed while their applications are decided on. Until that can be put right, direct provision centres will continue to pose a high risk of infection to their residents and staffThe Government has rightly promised to end direct provision. A useful new report by the Refugee Council, which canvassed asylum seekers’ perspectives on the pandemic, points out that at least 1,600 people in direct provision are sharing bedrooms. Until that can be put right, direct provision centres will continue to pose a high risk of infection to their residents and staff. The HSE is reportedly finalising plans to test asylum seekers fortnightly.

Source: The Irish Times August 10, 2020 23:03 UTC