ETHEKWINI Municipality wants to use the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) as a field hospital should the Coronavirus numbers worsen.
In a report tabled to the Durban executive council on Tuesday last week, the city passed a plan that would permit it to turn the DEC into a field hospital.
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“The health authorities have reviewed the current bed capacity and have concluded that the availability may become insufficient should the crisis develop on a scale as seen in Europe and the United States over the past few months,” said the report.
President Cyril Ramaphosa identified eThekwini as one of the Coronavirus hotspots in the country.
The report states that the Department of Health identified the DEC as the ideal location as it can accommodate a large number of beds and minimal construction work will be required to set it up to approved health standards.
The DEC, which falls under the International Convention Centre, has been lying idle after having to cancel all its events since the start of the national lockdown.
The report was sent to the full eThekwini municipal council on Thursday, 28 May.
If the report is passed, DOH will enter into an agreement with the ICC which includes a requirement that the facility be restored to its original condition at the end of the period and also be deep cleaned.
Exco also passed the Land Use Scheme amendment bill which extends temporary use of any premises from 28 days to 52 days.
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