Chelsea and owner Roman Abramovich have made the Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge available to NHS hospital staff as part of efforts to help during the coronavirus crisis.
The west London side revealed the plans in a statement on the club website, owner Abramovich covering the costs of the initiative as efforts are stepped up to help combat the spread of the deadly virus which continues to affect many countries across the globe.
“Chelsea Football Club is joining the medical response to the coronavirus outbreak in London with the news the National Health Service (NHS) has accepted the Club’s offer to make the Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge available for NHS staff,” a statement on the club website reads.
“The initiative came from club owner Roman Abramovich and, after contact with the NHS was made by Chairman Bruce Buck, it was decided the best way Chelsea can assist the NHS is to provide accommodation for NHS staff. Mr Abramovich will be covering the costs of providing the accommodation.
???? Roman Abramovich will pay for @NHSUK staff to stay at @ChelseaFC’s hotel for 2 months during the coronavirus pandemic.
???? Fantastic gesture. pic.twitter.com/V7qMMQ84zb
— SPORF (@Sporf) March 18, 2020
“Many of the medical staff will be working long shifts and may not be able to travel home or would otherwise have to make long commutes. Local accommodation helps maintain the health and well-being of these crucial personnel at this critical time.
“This will be for a two-month period, and then reconsidered in light of circumstances at the time. NHS staff will be those working in hospitals in the North-West London region, but that may extend to hospitals in other districts.
“The number of rooms utilised will depend on demand but potentially all the rooms in the Millennium Hotel could be given over for this purpose. No staff showing symptoms will use the hotel.
“Millennium Hotels and Resorts, who manage the hotel, are supportive and assisting the club in providing this service to the NHS.”
Former Man United defender Gary Neville also announced today that both of the hotels he owns in Manchester will partake in a similar scheme in order to assist with the public health crisis.
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