Sequim Warming Center open, modified for pandemic

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, November 25, 2020

A warm place for locals on cold fall and winter nights is open once again, modified this year for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Warming Center, hosted this year by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 525 N. Fifth Ave., is open 9 p.m.-7 a.m. on days when predicted temperatures are at 35 degrees (Fahrenheit) or below.

The center will be open this Thursday, Thanksgiving, said Sam McCulloch of Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP).

With health concerns abounding in late 2020, the center will have one staff member who is required to wear a mask and plenty of sanitizing procedures in place, McCulloch said.

Clients are requested to wear a mask but will not be denied service if they choose not to, McCulloch said.

There is a short screening for staff and clients upon entry with questions based on the most prevalent COVID-19 symptoms, as well as a temperature check, he said.

If the client has a temperature above 100 degrees or are showing symptoms, they are asked to distance themselves in a corner and emergency services are called.

If an emergency medical technician determines a client may be coronavirus positive, that client is taken to a hotel and OlyCAP staff is informed, McCulloch said.

For more information, call 360-452-4726.