UPDATE: Sick and nowhere to go? York Region offers free hotel rooms

Voluntary isolation centre, financial support available for those struggling with COVID-19

Yorkregion.com
April 27, 2021
Kim Zarzour

If you're sick with COVID-19 and there's no room to isolate at home, that can be a big problem.

Almost half of all York Region residents who tested positive for COVID-19 caught the virus from someone living in the same household, Patrick Casey, the region's director of corporate communications, said.

"It is very difficult to self-isolate properly and effectively when you live with other people," he said. "For example, we had a household with 12 people living under the same roof and nine tested positive for COVID-19."

If you're worried about spreading the virus in your home, the region now offers rooms in a four-star hotel in central York Region where you can rest and recover without sharing germs with those you live with.

The specific location and name of the hotel is not being publicly disclosed for the safety and privacy of guests.

The hotel offers free-of-charge wi-fi and local calls and meals and snacks. Loved ones can also drop off food.

Interpretation services are available.

As of April 20, 225 residents have safely isolated at York Region’s Voluntary Isolation Centre, Casey said.

York Region is also able to connect eligible residents to available services and emergency financial assistance supports to cover rent, utilities and food so they can take time off work to self-isolate at the centre or at home.

"We know that some communities have been more affected by COVID-19 than others, and many people face barriers to finding a safe place to self-isolate in order to keep their families and communities safe," Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark said. "Isolation centres will provide these people with the supports they need while they are self-isolating."

The Centre is funded by the Provincial Government and operated by the Canadian Red Cross on York Region’s behalf.

More information is available at york.ca/isolationcentre or by calling Access York at 1-877-464-9675