Shelter Rules and Regulations

Shelter Managers shall enforce these rules at the shelter which they're assigned.

Law and Order

  • All existing laws of the country will be enforced
  • Shelterees shall use the shelter areas as assigned by shelter manager
  • Personal conflicts will be resolved by the shelter managers and or leaders
  • Minor violations, such as loud noise at night, shall be handled by local disaster coordinator or shelter manager or designated group of leaders
  • Any necessary restraint and serious disciplinary action will be ordered only by the shelter manager in consultation with his/her advisory committee
  • Serious violations, such as; wounding, stealing or rape shall be dealt with quickly and forcefully by the shelter authority and to immediately inform the Police to intervene

Health and Sanitation

  • Shelterees with contagious disease/infection shall be isolated immediately
  • Shelter floors and yard area shall be swept free of waste materials
  • Sleeping areas shall be kept clean and tidy at all times
  • Waste containers shall be disposed of as soon as possible
  • Personal hygiene must be observed (bathing, washing, and toilet duties, etc.)
  • No pets will be allowed inside the main shelter area

Safety and Fire

  • No dangerous weapons, hazardous liquids, or any other hazardous items shall be kept by shelterees
  • Smoking will not be permitted in the shelter
  • No Alcoholic beverages will be kept or consumed within the shelter area
  • Shelterees shall watch for and report any potential fire hazard, such as careless use of combustible materials
  • Do not tamper with fire extinguishers and/or other safety equipment

Emergency Sheltering Guidelines During Covid-19

  1. Everyone should wear mask in Emergency Shelters.
  2. Where possible bring your personal mask, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
  3. Sanitizers will be placed at the entrance of the shelter and a volunteer will be assigned entry sanitizing duty.
  4. Frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizers or rubbing alcohol (at least 70%) will be encouraged especially:
  • After coughing or sneezing
  • Before eating
  • After using bathroom
  • Before and after helping someone who is not well
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Remember when coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with your flexed elbow or tissue.
  • Throw tissue away immediately in bins provided and wash hands.
  1. Shelterees are to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of a respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing or have a fever.
  2. If anyone has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing they should inform the shelter manager.
  3. Shelter staff should monitor persons coming in for any visible symptoms of Covid-19 and other illnesses
  4. Anyone who begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 should immediately be separated from the main area and be placed in the designated isolation section
  5. Persons with respiratory symptoms should be given temporary barriers if isolation cannot be done. Get in touch with health care provider where possible.
  6. Strict adherence to the social distancing guidelines will be encouraged
  7. Cots should be at least 6 feet apart.
  8. Cots will be arranged in alternating ‘head-to-toe’ arrangement to reduce transmission of any communicable diseases.
  9. Persons should be separated in the shelters by household as much as possible.

Related pages:

Hurricane Shelters