Officials behind the Abrigado drug house have agreed, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and the Luxembourg City municipal council, to keep the building open. Only the most urgent services will be offered.
The needle exchange will take place through a window. Those wishing to consume drugs within the building can continue to do so, however the number of people allowed in the rooms will be reduced by half to ensure social distancing continues.
Patients in need of medical care will be staggered, with a queue in place outside the building. The night shelter will also remain open, so long as no one is ill.
Another reason to keep the building open is the closing of borders across Europe, which will have an impact on drug availability.
Abrigado has been working on a concept of offering substitution materials, which will be presented to the Ministry of Health next week once it has been finalised.
The organisation said it is vital to continue offering motivation and solutions for addicts, particularly as it will become more difficult to obtain drugs in this climate.
In order to continue functioning as normal, Abrigado staff have been split into five groups, working a rota of two day shifts. Thus, if a member of staff were to fall ill with Covid-19, it would be a simple matter to isolate the group and replace with other staff.
Above else, the organisation does not want the vulnerable and homeless to feel abandoned in such difficult times.
Report in Luxembourgish.
"Only the drugs help me forget": inside Luxembourg's drug consumption room
