‘Stranded’: horror month for Australian homelessness services as Omicron ravages sector

Amid staff shortages and rapid test requirements services say they feel frustrated by lack of government support

Stephanie Oatley recalls a day in late December when she needed to get a whole unit of young people experiencing homelessness tested for Covid. We had a young person who started showing symptoms, and a second young person got an itchy throat," says Oatley.

In the van they hopped. There was only one place open ... They got there at 9am, and waited for nine hours."