CDC’s Interim Guidance for General Population Disaster Shelters During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Updated Aug. 4, 2021

Access to safe shelter from disasters is critical even during community spread of COVID-19; therefore, shelters should accept all people seeking safety regardless of vaccination status.

People housed in general population disaster shelters may be exposed to crowded conditions that can make it easier to spread COVID-19. Although the risk of getting sick with COVID-19 is lower for people who are fully vaccinated, everyone staying at a disaster shelter should still take precautions regardless of vaccination status, including wearing masks correctly and maintaining physical distance (at least 6 feet).

This interim guidance is based on current information about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the CDC COVID-19 website periodically for updated guidance. Because conditions vary from community to community, disaster shelter managers should look to their state and local health officials for information specific to their location.

Key Points

Alternatives to opening disaster shelters, such as sheltering in place, should be considered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotels/dormitories and small shelters (fewer than 50 residents) should be prioritized over larger shelters. Large congregate shelters should be a last resort.

Officials should demobilize large congregate shelters as soon as possible after the emergency phase and relocate residents to hotels/dormitories or small shelters for better social distancing.

Shelter managers should maintain contact with state and local public health agencies and emergency management for updates on local COVID-19 information.

Shelter health staff should monitor residents daily for symptoms of COVID-19 and other illness, including mental health concerns, and provide a daily status update to the local health department and other relevant agencies. View resources on daily life and coping .

Body temperature monitoring should be conducted for all persons entering the shelter and in food distribution areas.

Shelters should provide separate areas, including restrooms, to isolate residents with symptoms of COVID-19.

Shelter staff and residents should wear a mask at all times except when not practical, such as when eating or showering. NOTE: Masks should not be placed on babies or children younger than 2 years of age or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance.

All shelter residents, even those without symptoms, may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should self- quarantine after leaving the shelter in accordance with state and local recommendations.

If testing for COVID-19 is available, shelter staff, volunteers, and residents should be tested in accordance with state and local health department guidelines.

During disasters, resource availability may limit the ability to apply this guidance. Best efforts should be made to implement this guidance to the extent possible.