British passengers and crew aboard the MV Hondius are scheduled to return to the UK on Sunday for a 45-day quarantine period at a hospital in Merseyside. Arrowe Park Hospital, known for hosting individuals from Wuhan at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been designated by NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency to accommodate the guests.
The evacuation of up to 147 individuals, including 22 Britons, from the ailing cruise ship in Tenerife is in progress to beat impending adverse weather conditions. The operation, involving UK government personnel, aims to swiftly transport the passengers to safety upon the ship’s arrival in Granadilla port.
The evacuation plan entails a phased approach utilizing small zodiac boats with a capacity of five each to transfer passengers to Tenerife South Airport. Subsequently, they will board government-chartered planes for repatriation to the UK.
Health authorities have ensured stringent infection control measures for the repatriation flight, with health experts monitoring passengers throughout the journey. Post-arrival, all British nationals from the MV Hondius will undergo a 45-day isolation period with regular testing and monitoring.
Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed the absence of symptomatic individuals onboard the vessel. Tragically, three individuals, including a Dutch couple and a German national, have succumbed to illness since the cruise commenced in Argentina. Notably, the first cases of the Andes virus strain were reported among British passengers, with affected individuals receiving medical care abroad.
The total tally of confirmed or suspected cases now stands at 11, with contact tracing efforts in full swing across various locations. The UK government is providing necessary support to those in isolation or quarantine, including individuals who disembarked at St Helena and are currently in the UK or overseas territories.
WHO officials, led by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, are overseeing the safe disembarkation process in Spain, emphasizing continued monitoring of the situation and ensuring global risk remains low. Local authorities in the Canary Islands have reassured the population of stringent safety measures during the evacuation process to prevent any potential outbreak.
