FC Halifax Town’s stadium to become a temporary morgue

FC Halifax Town’s stadium to become a temporary morgue amid the coronavirus pandemic according to new plans as the UK death toll surges.

The Shay Stadium, which is owned by Calderdale Council, would be brought into use if the number of funerals and cremations in Calderdale exceed the borough’s capacity.

Andrew Pitts, assistant director for neighbourhoods at the council commented that although the plans were in place they hope “not to need to use it.”

He added: “We have a statutory responsibility to plan for any potential increase in numbers of people who pass away in the borough. All local authorities have been asked to put in place arrangements for temporary facilities if they reach a point where they are unable to conduct funerals and cremations at a rate at which deaths are occurring.

“In Calderdale, the Shay Stadium has been identified as the most appropriate location for this purpose.”

The stadium isn’t the only building being used by the for purposes other than their normal roles, with the council stating North Bridge Leisure Centre in Halifax, is being used as the distribution centre for food for vulnerable residents.

With FC Halifax Town’s stadium to become a temporary morgue, various clubs up and down the country including Premier League sides Manchester City, Tottenham and Watford are offering the NHS use of their stadiums in fight against coronavirus.

The NHS has been using League Two side Colchester United’s stadium for staff training. Championship outfit Bristol City could see their Ashton Gate home become a temporary hospital. The Principality Stadium, or more commonly known as the Millennium Stadium, is to be used as NHS field hospital to home 2,000 additional beds.

On the day that the UK hospital deaths saw a record daily rise of 684, bringing the total to 3,605 patients who have died after testing positive for Covid-19, the temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital in London opens up to 4,000 patients and is the first of several such facilities planned across England, with them popping up next at Harrogate and Bristol.