The cruise ship where several cases of hantavirus were detected is on its way to the Canaries, but will not dock. THE MV Hondius will remain off the Spanish island and the occupants will be evacuated, but only when the planes on which they will be repatriated arrive at Tenerife airport.
The ship “MV Hondius” left Cape Verde towards the Canaries.
Should arrive in Tenerife on the night of Saturday to Sunday, but it won’t dock. It will remain off the Spanish island and the Passengers will be taken directly to the airport in an operation that will be carried out with a “security barrier”, say the Spanish authorities.
It will be anchored in front of the industrial port of Granadilla and the occupants will be taken to a “specific and reserved area” from Tenerife South airport, just over 10 kilometers away, to be repatriated.
AThe 144 people on the cruise will only be taken to the airport after the planes on which they will be transported are on the ground.
Transport to the airport will be provided by a route with a “safety barrier” and with “all guarantees” of safety and protection for the people involved, added the local representative.
In the case of the 14 Spaniards on board, they will be transported to a military hospital in Madrid.
Passenger pick-up is expected to begin on Monday
The boat should arrive in Tenerife on the night of Saturday to Sunday and removal of occupants should begin on Monday.
For this operation, the Spanish Government activated the European civil protection mechanism.
In the case of European Union citizens, Spain will propose the each Member State that carries out the repatriation of their nationals.
“If necessary, due to the impossibility of a State, the European Commission will take over the transfer.”
As for people from countries outside the EU, there are still contacts and meetings through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “to coordinate” repatriations.
They will only stay in Tenerife passengers or crew who, upon arrival, need medical careand at the moment no one on board the boat has symptoms of illness, according to the Government of Spain and the WHO.
On board the “MV Hondius” are WHO doctors, who continue to monitor and examine the occupants.
What will happen to the ship?
It remains unclear, however, whether the ship will be disinfected in the Canaries or whether it will be taken to another destination for inspection and disinfection.
