The Covid-19 pandemic forced Omaha’s Siena Francis House to quarantine its men’s and women’s emergency shelter.

Approximately 50 individuals at the shelter have tested positive and have been isolated. Executive Director Linda Twomey said some people staying in the shelter are awaiting test results and haven’t shown any symptoms, but others have.

Those who do leave will not be allowed to return until after the quarantine is over. There’s no word on when that will be.

Twomey said for those who stay, the Siena Francis House is trying to make things as manageable as possible.

She said they arrange smoke breaks and provide snack breaks and television.

The Siena Francis House can house up to 450-homeless people and they are working with other local service providers to help people who are in crisis.