No longer in use, the Napier army barracks, in the United Kingdom, has, according Al Jazeera, been housing male refugees and migrants since September. The barracks had housed 400 people up until mid-January.

Now, following more than 120 residents having tested positive for COVID-19, 100 have been relocated to hotels. Those remaining have not been allowed to leave the premises, not even to seek outside medical treatment, supposedly due to  concerns that they might spread the virus. Al Jazeera reports that a resident had last week tried to escape, but was apprehended by police, who returned him to the barracks.

Residents say the unsanitary conditions at the barracks are harming their mental health. This January, a fire broke out at the facility, during an incident in which windows were smashed. 14 people were arrested in connection with the fire. Kent police allege arson. According to Al Jazeera, despite the current freezing temperatures there has been limited access to electricity and hot water.

A charity delivering aid to refugees in Europe, reported that the kitchen was closed, so they could not serve meals warmed. Residents were isolating in their rooms under supervision from security guards.

The coronavirus outbreak started when several men tested positive for the virus in January. Further, residents who tested positive were isolated for just a few days, before being allowed out into the general population at the barracks. Residents who had approached the welfare manager concerning the early release from isolation say he told them, “If you’re going to die from COVID, you’re going to die here or outside the barracks.” They said in just four days another 120 men presented with symptoms. There is barely any social distancing at the barracks. One resident said that he tested positive on January 17 and had to share sleeping space with 28 other residents. One of those infected said, “I knew the virus was on the covers, the doors, the windows, the bedsheets, everywhere. There is no sanitization here.”

Britain’s Home Office has, meanwhile, denied the allegations.

Umm Muhammed Umar