London provides self-isolation hotel rooms for over 1,000 rough sleepers

More than 1,000 rough sleepers in London are now able to self isolate in several hotels and safe locations across the city during the COVID-19 pandemic, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Tuesday.

From this week, rough sleepers in London who develop symptoms will be referred to a specialist COVID-19 care facility in a hotel in London where they can be monitored and receive appropriate care and medical support.

"As we approach the peak of the coronavirus pandemic it is more important than ever to ensure the most vulnerable Londoners are supported in clean, secure accommodation," Khan said.

Supported by a 10.55-million-pound (13.26-million-U.S. dollar) fund from the Mayor and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the initiative involves the City Hall -- the headquarters of the Greater London Authority -- along with the national government and charity bodies to block-book hotel rooms and allow highly vulnerable rough sleepers to follow nation-wide self-isolation guidelines.

Hotels including the InterContinental Hotel Group, Travelodge, Best Western and Accor Group have allowed their hotels to be used.

(CGTN)