The cruise ship MV Hondius, on board which an outbreak of hantavirus broke out, should dock at the port of Granadilla, in the south of the island of Tenerife, on the Canary archipelago, “within three days”, announced, Wednesday May 6, the Spanish Minister of Health, Monica Garcia Gomez, during a press conference. Docking is expected for Saturday May 9, according to a request made by the shipping company Oceanwide Expeditions to regional port authorities.
The port of Granadilla was chosen because it is relatively isolated, while being located in the immediate vicinity of Tenerife South airport, explained the minister. The stated objective is to avoid any contact between the ship’s passengers and the local population. “A joint health assessment and evacuation system will be put in place with the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control,” said Ms. Garcia Gomez.
All foreign passengers will be repatriated thanks to the European civil protection mechanism coordinated by the European Commission – already activated – “unless their state of health prevents it”, affirmed the minister, assuring that the system would offer “all the necessary guarantees”. “Spain has all the capacities to care for those affected and protect public health,” she added.
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Originally published at Almouwatin.com
