Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps have been taken to reduce the transmission of covid-19 in immigrant removal centres.

Immigration Enforcement responded quickly to the risks presented at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to follow the latest guidance from Public Health England (PHE). This has been supported by the High Court, which ruled on 26 March that our approach to detention and Covid-19 was sensible, with the appropriate precautionary measures in place. The safety of detained individuals and our staff are our utmost priority.

All immigration removal centres (IRCs) have dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses which are managed by the NHS or appropriate providers. Detained individuals arriving at IRCs are medically assessed by a nurse within two hours of their arrival, are offered an appointment with a doctor within 24 hours and have access to medical assistance throughout their detention. Additionally receptions to Heathrow, Gatwick and Yarl’s Wood are offered a Covid-19 test on arrival at the IRC.

Everyone entering an IRC spends a minimum of 14 days on a ‘reverse cohorting’ unit; this is dedicated accommodation designed to prevent an asymptomatic individual transmitting the virus to the wider centre population. Reverse cohorting is supported by further measures such as single occupancy rooms in all IRCs and the cessation of social visits. Protective shielding is available to those who are deemed medically high or very high risk.

Since Wednesday 21 October 2020, all staff and visitors to IRCs and short term holding facilities are required to wear a face mask, at all times, when undertaking direct contact duties with those detained and when in the main centre or holding facility.

The mental health of detained individuals is equally important to physical health; IRC residents are being encouraged to utilise virtual means of social contact including mobile telephone (for which additional phone credit is being provided on a weekly basis), video calling and email. Risk-assessed activities are available in all centres to support mental well-being.

We are confident that these collective measures have contributed to minimising the impact of Covid-19 on our estate and keeping those in detention and the staff who work there safe.