CITY Hall Kuala Lumpur has set up seven shelters for the homeless in the capital during the movement-control order period, said DBKL community development and urban wellbeing department director Anwar Mohd Zain.

He told The Malaysian Insight DBKL added three places from the previous four to house the homeless as it continues operations to rescue people from the streets of Kuala Lumpur during the MCO.

“We have seven shelters now in total, ready for the homeless during the time of MCO.

“The latest two places to be occupied are Seri Delima sport complex in Kepong and Desa Tasik sports complex in Bandar Tasik Selatan. The one on standby is the hall in Melati Impian, Gombak,” he said.

Up to Monday, the number of homeless rounded by City Hall stands at 614, including 71 foreigners.

All the foreigners are placed at the Alam Damai Cheras multipurpose hall, while the locals are housed in the other halls.

Locals are placed at Sentul Perdana community centre (189), Setiawangsa community hall (1,500, Tasik Ampang Hilir community centre (107), Seri Delima sports complex (470) and Desa Tasik sports complex (50).

Anwar assured that while rescuing the homeless, enforcement officers on duty followed all procedures outlined by the Health Ministry.

Before the homeless are brought to the shelters, they also undergo Covid-19 screening at a centre in Medan Tuanku, he said.

“When we go to get them, we ask our enforcement officers to use masks, PPE suits, sanitisers. That is the procedure and they have to follow that.

“After rounding them up, we will send them to do screening at a centre in Medan Tuanku. We then transfer them to the respective shelters,” he said, adding that around 25 officers are working in shifts to man the place.

Kembara Kitchen, a civil society group which runs a soup kitchen in the capital, provides the homeless with six meals a day.

However, Anwar said the homeless lack clothing and welcome donations from the public.

“We have started a campaign asking people to donate, so those who are willing, can contact us,” he said.

City Hall’s campaign is until the MCO ends and those who wish to donate clothes, can contact 03-4026 7222 from 9am till 5pm. – April 8, 2020.