The Alexandria Salvation Army is no longer requiring people who come into the shelter to wear masks.
Prior to April 7, the non-profit required everyone who entered the building to have on a mask. Those who checked into the shelter also had to provide a recent negative COVID-19 test, and get their temperature taken.
Now, they aren’t required to wear a mask, but everyone must still stay six feet apart, including while eating and sleeping.
Currently, the Alexandria branch has 28 beds for the homeless, however, only 12 of those beds can be occupied at any given time. On the veteran’s side, there are a total of 22 beds, where normally eight to ten people stay, and four to six in the substance abuse section for veterans.
Major Tim Williford with the Alexandria Salvation Army said enforcing mandates has been a challenge during the pandemic, especially when he doesn’t know who has and hasn’t been vaccinated.
“It’s been a little difficult even throughout the epidemic to enforce who’s wearing a mask and who’s not wearing a mask,” Williford said. “But we’ve tried our very best and we’ve tried to keep people safe as best we could.”
With all of the rain we’ve been seeing, someone who doesn’t have a place to go can stay in the day room at the shelter. For more information, you can call the Salvation Army directly at 318-767-1711.