Chelsea joins medical response to coronavirus outbreak

Chelsea have joined the medical response to the deadly coronavirus outbreak by making made their Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge available to NHS staff assisting with the crisis.

The Premier League giants will allow NHS workers to use the four-stay hotel in west London for the next two months, with the offer open to any staff working at hospitals “in the north-west London region”, but that could be extended.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich, who it is believed came up with the initiative, will be covering the costs of providing the accommodation.

A Chelsea statement read: “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.

“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.

Meanwhile, fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace have offered staff assurances over pay following the outbreak of coronavirus.

With the leagues shut down until at least April 3, and many expecting it to be for much longer, the finances of clubs up and down the country have been hit, with non-league Barnet already making 60 staff redundant.

Parish also said matchday staff who have lost work due to the suspension of the Premier League will not be out of pocket.

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He said in a statement on the club’s official website: “Firstly, in order to ensure the impact of this health crisis is minimised, we will not be placing any of our colleagues on statutory sick pay for health issues relating to Covid-19 during this crisis.