The community recovery facilities (CRFs) at the Singapore Turf Club will be able to house 3,600 Covid-19 patients when they are completed by the end of the month.
The Turf Club and Tote Board are working with government agencies to temporarily convert part of the Singapore Racecourse at Kranji into facilities for foreign workers recovering from the coronavirus.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Turf Club said yesterday that the CRFs at its multi-storey carpark and riding centre arena can collectively accommodate 3,600 patients. The construction and building works will be carried out based on approved protocols and procedures by government agencies to ensure the safety and health of the workers.
Adding that the facilities are "basic and functional" to ensure the patients' health, safety, welfare and care, the Turf Club said the venues will have beds, mattresses, storage cabinets, fans, showers and toilets. Laundry services, meals and Wi-Fi will also be provided.
The facilities are part of the Government's comprehensive medical strategy to ensure that these patients, who remain well and are clinically stable, receive prompt and quality medical treatment.
They also help in the optimal deployment of medical resources and prevent the Singapore healthcare system from being overwhelmed.
The Turf Club said: "The CRF in the multi-storey carpark is cordoned off from the other premises in the club and will not be accessible to the public. The CRFs will not disrupt racing operations and other activities in the club.
"The Tote Board and Singapore Turf Club stand united with Singapore and all Singaporeans in our common fight against Covid-19. We seek the understanding and patience of all stakeholders as all of us need to play our part to help Singapore overcome this Covid-19 challenge together."
Last month, the Turf Club announced it will suspend all local race meetings in line with the circuit breaker, that is scheduled to end on June 1.
However, it is uncertain if horse racing will return immediately after the circuit breaker, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong indicating in his May Day speech that critical sectors will open up ahead of entertainment outlets and large-scale sporting events which attract crowds, or involve close contact with other people.
