Passengers and crew stranded on the MV Hondius, which has been hit by a hantavirus outbreak, are set to finally leave the ship in the coming hours.
However, they will be under strict protocols, including only being able to take limited belongings with them when they disembark the ship when it docks on the Canary Islands.
The ship will not dock but will remain at anchor, with people ferried off in small boats. Everyone disembarking will be checked for symptoms and won't be taken off the ship until a flight is already in Tenerife waiting for them.
POLITICS: The existential crisis facing Coalition after 'good old-fashioned flogging'
The details were announced by Spain's Health Minister Monica Garcia during a news conference in Madrid, where she and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus looked to reassure the local community on the Canary Islands that there would be no outbreak on land.
"I know you are worried. I know that when you hear the word 'outbreak' and watch a ship sail toward your shores, memories surface that none of us have fully put to rest. The pain of 2020 is still real, and I do not dismiss it for a single moment," Tedros said in a statement to the people of Tenerife.
"But I need you to hear me clearly: This is not another COVID. The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low. My colleagues and I have said this unequivocally, and I will say it again to you now."
Garcia said passengers and some crew would disembark in Tenerife "under maximum safety conditions".
There are more than 140 people from more than 20 different countries on board, including four Australian citizens and one permanent resident.
Authorities are aiming to complete the evacuation flights on Sunday and Monday, the director of the WHO's Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, Maria Van Kerkove, said in a briefing.
Those disembarking will leave behind their luggage, Garcia said, and will be allowed to take only a small bag with essential items, a mobile phone, charger and documentation.
Some crew, as well as the body of a passenger who died on board, will remain on the ship, which will sail on to the Netherlands, where it will undergo disinfection, the minister said.
Operation could be delayed as residents express concern
The operation to let passengers leave the stricken ship could be delayed, with Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo claiming some of the repatriation flights that were to take passengers back to their home countries had not arrived on time.
In an impromptu press conference held this morning, he claimed he was looking to cancel the operation due to the health risks it would pose to his community.
He is not the only one who is concerned.
Some on Tenerife say they are worried, on board the cruise ship, some Spanish passengers have voiced concern about being stigmatised.
WORLD: Iran warns the US against attacks on its oil tankers and other ships
"I tell you, I don't like this very much," 69-year-old resident Simon Vidal said.
"Anyone can say what they want. Why did they have to bring a boat from another country here? Why not anywhere else, why bring it to the Canary Islands?"
Others said they empathised with the boat's passengers, but were still concerned.
"The truth is that it is very worrying," 27-year-old Venezuelan immigrant Samantha Aguero said.
"We feel a bit unsafe, we don't feel as there are 100 per cent security measures in place to welcome it.
"This is a virus after all and we have lived this during the pandemic. But we also need to have empathy."
Reported with Associated Press.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
- Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
- Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
- Sign up to our breaking newsletter here
from 9News https://ift.tt/g0jNYBh
via IFTTT
Comments
Post a Comment