The Royal International Convention Centre (Royal ICC) in the Brisbane Showgrounds could be converted into a makeshift hospital to treat minor Covid-19 cases and free up hospital beds amid the pandemic, according to an official statement by Annastacia Palaszczuk, premier and minister for trade, Queensland, as released by Queensland Health on March 29.
Located 1.5km from the city centre, the Royal ICC comprises three flexible exhibition or conference halls spanning a total of 3,213m2 on the second level, as well as 1,280m2 of foyer space. There are also plans to activate the entire Brisbane Showgrounds, which were used as a treatment centre in the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.
The Showgrounds have been playing host each year to the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland’s Royal Queensland Show – billed as the largest annual show in the state drawing 400,000 people.
Other facilities that Queensland Health is considering to be transformed into temporary hospitals in the case that the state needs to free up beds include hotels near Queensland’s major hospitals and even mining camps.
“I hope it doesn’t come to this but the coronavirus pandemic is upon us now and our hospitals and medical staff could be under enormous strain over the coming months,” Palaszczuk said in an official media statement.
Palaszczuk is hopeful, however, that the curve could be flattened should locals take the necessary precautionary measures and such conversions may be rendered unnecessary.
Queensland Health’s official announcement came three days after Australian newspaper The Age reported that the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) could be converted into a temporary intensive care hospital and morgue, according to sources from the Victorian government and within the industry.
When asked about the credibility of the reports, MCEC was not able to provide confirmation, but told TTGmice that it “stands ready to support the community through this challenging time, in whatever way necessary”.
The MCEC closed its doors on March 16, 00.00, in light of tighter restrictions put in place by Victorian authorities, and is set to remain closed till April 13.
Peter King, CEO, MCEC said it has offered “immediate financial relief for casual and permanent employees affected by the closure” and is working with event organisers to find “alternative arrangements”.
