There have been and will continue to be changes to the way that services for asylum seekers and refugees are running due to Corona Virus (Covid-19).
We will keep information updated on the separate Covid-19 page.
Correct as of 26.01.21:
Home Office Services:
Substantive Interviews:
Face to face substantive asylum interviews have been paused for now. Any that are scheduled from 19th March 2020 will be cancelled, and they will not be scheduling any new face to face interviews for now.
Reporting Centre:
All reporting at Middlehaven, Middlesbrough has been reviewed and imminent reporting events have been suspended. Everyone that reports should receive a text messages asking them not to report currently.
Anyone who has been advised to self-isolate or is demonstrating symptoms of Corona Virus or indeed any other communicable disease should not be reporting even if they are asked to do so by text.
Frequencies are being reviewed and those on Bail will be advised by text of when they should next report. If clients wish to contact the reporting centre they should do so by emailing [email protected]
Clients can also update their contact details by emailing this inbox –quoting their HO reference number (or if not known their full name, dob & nationality).
Further Submissions / Fresh Claims:
Applicants wanting to make further submissions should not travel to Liverpool to hand them in. They can send them in via e-mail [email protected] or via post at: FSU, The Capital Building, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9PP.
This new process is a temporary measure only due to the Corona Virus (COVID-19) and clients will be notified when the temporary process is going to end.
Mears Asylum Accommodation:
Mears are responsible for asylum accommodation and if you need to self-isolate, you need to contact your Mears Welfare Manager to discuss this and seek advice. You should also notify Migrant Help.
Any actions undertaken in relation to this should be fully explained by Mearns, ensuring that you understand the importance of self-isolation. Mears will use interpreters, where required.
If you are in self-isolation Mears should keep in regular contact and provide food; sanitary products; anti-bacterial cleaning products etc for the period of time you are expected to be self-isolated.
Migrant Help:
The Migrant Help free national phone line continues to operate as usual for asylum queries: 0808 8010 503
Migrant Help will gather as much information over the phone so that where face to face work is essential, it can be as short as possible. This is intended to reduce contact to a minimum and also provide adequate space for appropriate distancing.
Corona Virus Health Information:
There is information available about Coronavirus in different languages here. Doctors of the World have created this guidance for patients in 23 languages. This guidance is based on the government’s updated advice and health information.
Health Care Charges:
There can be no charge made to an overseas visitor for the diagnosis or treatment of Corona Virus. This includes those living in the UK without permission who may have been refused asylum,
No charges will apply to testing for Corona Virus, even if the result is negative, or to any treatment provided for Corona Virus if the result is positive or up to the point that it is negatively diagnosed. The same is true of most other infectious diseases.
No immigration checks are required for overseas visitors that are known to be only undergoing testing or treatment for Corona Virus.