COVID-19: BMC to use Wankhede Stadium as quarantine facility

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, on Friday, directed the Mumbai Cricket Association to hand over the Wankhede Stadium to the BMC to create facilities in connection with the coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to the MCA, the BMC's 'A' Ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Chanda Jadhav said the 'hotel/lodge/clubs/college/exhibition centres/dormitories/marriage hall/gymkhana/banquet hall' must be handed over 'with immediate effect'.

'The said premises will be used for emergency staff of 'A' Ward and quarantine the person whoever is in contact with a positive COVID-19 patient and are not symptomatic,' the letter, a copy of which is with PTI, stated.

The BMC said the acquisition was of a temporary nature and payments for use of facilities would be made at a later date.

It warned the MCA that refusal to cooperate could invite police action for disobedience to official order.

An MCA apex council member said there was no hesitation on the MCA's part to help BMC authorities tackling the virus outbreak.

Earlier, the BMC acquired the National Sport Club of India's indoor stadium in Worli, south central Mumbai, and some other gymkhana premises to set up quarantine and isolation facilities.

Mumbai is the country's worst affected city with 17,512 COVID-19 cases, with 933 additions on Friday.