Watford FC has relaunched its support for NHS workers to utilise its stadium as a sanctuary away from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Near the start of the pandemic in April, space at Vicarage Road was set aside for bedrooms, training areas for young nursers and counselling rooms, as Watford hospital staff tackled the first wave of the virus.

And now, with a soar of admissions and staff being asked to postpone their annual leave where possible, the need for the Team West Hertfordshire Sanctuary has returned.

From Monday to Fridays, the club will be open between 10.30am and 3.30pm to offer a canteen for West Hertfordshire NHS staff so they can relax away from the hospital. A meal deal of sandwiches, snacks and drinks for £2 will be offered, or staff can bring in their own. Coffee and biscuits are available for £1.

All proceeds go to the charity Sewa Day.

The sanctuary originally launched to provide counselling rooms and a place to unwind – and to make use of the grounds which were being untouched due to football being on pause at the time.

Originally, Watford FC were footing the bill for a feeding area for NHS staff to get breakfast and lunch, with an estimated 500 people per day currently eating both meals at the ground.

It is unclear what other types of facilities the sanctuary may be offering this time around, and Watford FC did not wish to share further comments on the relaunch.