Blues using the Etihad to help in fight against virus
CITY have established a formal partnership with the NHS and Manchester Council as they have stepped up their efforts to help the local community in the coronavirus crisis.
The club quickly got in touch with the relevant authorities when the scale of the pandemic was becoming apparent, and have been working since to offer any help they can. With football postponed the Etihad Campus has been transformed to provide a space for more than 26,000 frontline workers in Greater Manchester.
The stadium has been opened to allow for the training of more than 350 nursing staff, including those working in the Nightingale Northwest Hospital.
It is also being used as a rest, relaxation and exercise centre for NHS and social care staff with gym equipment and a cafe to provide a space for workers alongside a ‘click and collect’ service for them to be able to pick up groceries and household supplies.
There is a drive-through coronavirus testing facility on a club car park with more than 1,000 tests per day currently being carried out.
City are also flexible about how the stadium may be needed to be used in the future by the health service as needs change in the next weeks and months, but have stressed that their partnership with the NHS is one for the long term.
The changes have been designed so they can remain in place both when football matches return and also when supporters are allowed to attend games there.
First-team stars Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have been among players ringing fans to check in on them - with letters and gift packages also provided for those in need.
The club website has been adapted with a Cityzens at Home section including various online resources for fans including nutritional tips, while City in the Community coaches have continued to deliver education and fitness sessions remotely.
The club also teamed up with neighbours United to donate £50,000 each to the Trussell Trust, helping support a network of 19 foodbanks in Greater Manchester.