London, United Kingdom. British passengers and staff from the cruise ship MV Hondius will be taken to a hospital in northwest England for an initial isolation period after being repatriated, UK health authorities said on Saturday.
Evacuation plans from Tenerife
The MV Hondius is expected to anchor off the Spanish island of Tenerife early on Sunday, after which 22 British nationals on board will be flown back to Britain. Spain said the UK, as well as Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland and other countries, had confirmed they were sending planes to evacuate their citizens following the outbreak, which left eight people ill, including three who died.
Initial managed isolation and testing
As a precautionary measure, the passengers will be assessed and tested during an initial stay of up to 72 hours at a managed setting, according to a joint statement from health departments in the north west of England, police and a local council. Sky News named the facility as the Arrowe Park Hospital near Liverpool.
Public risk and longer isolation guidance
“The risk to the general population remains very low,” the statement said. The UK Health Security Agency said on Friday that all passengers and crew will be asked to isolate for 45 days on their return home.
How do you expect the 45-day isolation guidance to affect returning passengers and crew?
