We are very concerned by the situation of persons with disabilities living in institutions. The estimated 1 million persons with disabilities that live segregated in residential institutions are now more vulnerable than ever as they face increased risk of infection by COVID-19, physical and psychological abuse due to isolation, neglect, and abandonment.

Reports show this is already happening in several countries

• Lack of personal protective equipment for persons with disabilities and staff of institutions leads to higher risk of infection- for both staff and residents. The risk is compounded due to the communal life typical of institutions;
• Lack of care and residents left unattended due to staff shortage – staff cannot work as they are infected or under quarantine, or do not work because of fear of becoming infected;
• Forced medication and forced restraint measures under the pretence of preventive measures;
• Forced confinement leading to lack of contact with outside world – family, friends and others.

Denmark
Residential institutions and psychiatric wards in hospitals are considered vital functions to be maintained. The service has been adapted to less physical contact and increased focus on hygiene. Clear guidelines have been adopted (after a period of uncertainty) stating that persons with disabilites in institutions can visit/be visit as long as they comply with current guidelines of social isolation (2 metres apart and maximum gathering of 10 people).

France
In Alsace, the manager of the residential institution “association Marie-Pire” shared with Le Monde discrimination in medical treatment:

A doctor refused to go to the institution to certify a death
On 25 March, the staff called emergency medical services 5 times for 5 different residents. The response they got was to stop calling as the services were over capacity. The medical services didn’t send an ambulance.
The day after the manager had a meeting with the regional health authority. He was told that persons with disabilities would not be received by hospitals. They said they would support the institution with end-of-life care and psychological support for staff.

Greece
Psychiatric units are locking persons in their rooms and depriving them of access to mobile phones and the internet. Contact with family or friends is often prohibited or needs to be done through a single phone, which increases the chance of transmission of COVID-19. Psychiatric units are dealing with staff shortages due to many workers not showing up through fear of being contaminated.

Germany
Residential institutions face a serious lack of personal protective equipment and of funding to support their preventive measures.

We released a statement calling on authorities to act fast on this.

The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture has issued a statement.

Italy
70 people became infected in an institution for persons with intellectual disabilities. Managers admitted that residents and staff lacked personal protective equipment;

Poland
52 residents (out of 67) and 8 staff (out of 14) became infected in a residential institution in Poland;

Romania
242 residents and 59 staff became infected in the psychiatric institution Sasca Mică

68 (out of 154) residents and 35 (out of 103) staff are infected with COVID-19 in another psychiatric institution in Costana. Staff was hospitalized but residents were not.

Spain
The press reported several of these cases, including 43 deaths in a retirement home and at least 12 suspected cases in an institution in Granada. There are also reports of support services that are in dire need of masks, gloves and gowns – they are resorting to homemade solutions and are even microwaving equipment in the hope of sterilising them.