Poland is all set to convert its UEFA football stadium into a coronavirus treatment facility as the coronavirus cases in the country continue to increase. Built for the UEFA Euro 2012 football championships, the 60,000-seat stadium has conference rooms under its stands able to accommodate patients.
The decision came days after the government asked Poles to “stay home” and “work remotely” if possible as it announced a raft of restrictions to stem infections. “About 500 beds will be installed in the stadium to receive people requiring hospitalisation,” government spokesman Piotr Muller told the commercial Polsatnews channel.
The new facility, that will have around 50 intensive care beds, will be ready to accept patients by the end of the week. Field hospitals could be created in each of Poland’s 16 administrative regions if need be.
Roughly half of Poland was designated a coronavirus “red zone” as of Saturday, with secondary schools switching to distance learning. Stricter restrictions have been imposed in terms of conducting events and such, and restaurants have been banned from operating post 9 PM.