Chelsea make hotel available to NHS staff fighting coronavirus, owner Roman Abramovich to cover all costs

Premier League football club Chelsea have made the Millennium Hotel at their Stamford Bridge stadium in London available to the National Health Service (NHS) to provide accommodation to staff as they fight the coronavirus pandemic. "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," Chelsea said in a statement. "Local accommodation helps maintain the health and well-being of these crucial personnel at this critical time. NHS staff will be those working in hospitals in the North-West London region, but that may extend to hospitals in other districts." Chelsea said that owner Roman Abramovich would be footing the bill and that the entire hotel would be made available for the next two months or longer if needed. "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," Chelsea said. "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." The number of global cases has topped 200,000 cases on Wednesday, with over 8,000 deaths. The recovery rate continues to climb, with 82,000 patients clear of symptoms.

Chelsea make hotel available to NHS staff fighting coronavirus, owner Roman Abramovich to cover all costs

The entire hotel would be made available for the next two months or longer if needed