BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Pine Street Inn said they will begin screening every guest seeking to enter their shelter for COVID-19 symptoms.
The organization, which provides shelter, housing, outreach, and job training to the homeless community in Boston and beyond, announced a series of precautions they'll be taking to combat the spread of the virus.
"This is an unprecedented health threat and we are greatly concerned about our community," Pine Street President and Executive Director Lyndia Downie said in a release. "We continue to put precautionary measures in place, working closely with public health partners as we take action to keep our staff, guests and tenants safe."
The screenings will begin Monday, March 16, and will be conducted by Boston Health Care for the Homeless.
Anyone found to be exhibiting symptoms will be quarantined at an off-premises location Pine Street Inn has secured just for that purpose. They noted they are seeking additional space where shelter guests can stay and eat in shifts.
No cases have been identified in the Pine Street community to date, "but we are doing everything e can to be prepared," the shelter said.
A 30-day supply of cleaning items and food is being stored at their facilities.
The organization has suspended on-site volunteer activities, and asked non-essential staff to work remotely.
A cleaning service has been contracted to do an extra deep cleaning in Pine Street's buildings on a daily basis.
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