A TEMPORARY mortuary has been set up at Southampton Airport as the country continues to battle Covid-19.

County bosses have confirmed that in response to the current coronavirus crisis, plans are now in place for the operation of a temporary mortuary at Southampton Airport to serve Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.

The area set aside is a “specially adapted secure location” on one side of the airfield known as the Grayson Site and it is completely separate from the passenger terminal and airport operations.

Police officers will patrol the area during the day and night and the public won’t have access to the site.

The news was announced by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum (HIOW LRF) which is made up of representatives from the emergency services, the NHS, local authorities working together to respond to emergencies.

Simon Bryant, director of public health at Hampshire County Council, said: “Local partner organisations across the wider Hampshire region, are working together to ensure arrangements are in place to support communities during this difficult time. Integral to our planning is the need to ensure the area is equipped with additional mortuary space, should we need it. While I understand that people may be concerned about this development, it is important that we are well prepared.”

He said all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the highest standards of health and safety are maintained onsite. Mr Bryant added: “I would like to reassure the families and friends of those who may be accommodated temporarily at the Grayson Site that their loved ones will be afforded every possible respect, and that we have been liaisingwith faith leaders to ensure that required customs and practices will be observed at all times.”

The HIOW LRF said “robust” security arrangements remain in place across the airport as it continues to operate flights transporting essential goods to the Channel Islands. . A spokesperson for Southampton Airport added: “When the Local Resilience Forum came to us a with a request to use our site to support the response to the Covid-19 pandemic in our area, we were willing and able to assist. We were approached because this is a secure site which offers privacy.The airport is currently on greatly restricted operating hours and, whilst it is, it is important to us that it can be used to support such hugely vital work.”

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said people should not be "unduly alarmed" about this provision.

"As with all the planning for this awful pandemic we must continue to plan for the worst whilst hoping for the best. The sacrifices that people are making currently are starting to work but there is a long way to go yet. I hope we will not need to use this mortuary but I fully understand why our Local Resilience Forum (LRF) have planned for it,"he said.

Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes added: “While this is a delicate topic, it is important that we have these plans ready..”

Keith House, council leader at Eastleigh Borough Council, said the authority supports the provision of all facilities needed to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.

"It is vital that there are standby mortuary facilities for Hampshire.The more people stay at home the more lives will be protected to make this additional provision a contingency rather than having substantial need,”he added.