COVID-19

March 26 

At the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, we are taking every possible precaution to protect our clients, residents and staff from COVID-19.  The following are the practices we have in place to keep everyone in our building safe and healthy:

     • We contract a professional cleaning company to ensure our shelter is cleaned to industry standards

     • Meals at the Shelter are prepared by cooks with food safety certification

     • We are using a hospital-grade disinfectant and have increased the frequency of our cleaning of all surfaces, particularly high-traffic places such as door handles, kitchens, and bathrooms

     • If there is any form of illness in a family member, such as a sore throat, fever or cough, the whole family is isolated immediately in their room. Meals are brought to the family on disposable dishes.

     • We follow Alberta Health Services recommendations regarding COVID-19 prevention and response. We have been screening admissions to the Shelter since early February, with screening criteria that is in alignment with Alberta Health Services   

     • We are following social distancing recommendations, which means we have staggered meal times, and staggered use of our communal recreational space (one family at a time). Our housekeepers disinfect surfaces after one family uses the communal space before the next family uses the room. Counselling takes place either over the phone or between people who are sitting at an acceptable distance from one another. 

In our community-based programs, we are following the protocols advised by Alberta Health Services, and are providing support and counselling at a distance.

In times of increased anxiety and stress, incidents of family violence and abuse can increase. We are prepared for higher demand for our services as the COVID-19 situation unfolds in our community. If you or anyone you know needs help and support with family violence and abuse, please call the 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline at (403) 234-7233.

For more COVID-19 updates CLICK HERE.