Ireland to send plane to fly home Irish citizens stranded on hantavirus-hit cruise ship after vessel docks in Spain

"The two Irish women will then probably have to be quarantined for up to six weeks to ensure they are not carrying the infection. It is understood that officials in the Department of Health and the HSE are examining whether the women can be quarantined at home or must be in a medical facility."

"Irish officials have been liaising with Spanish and EU authorities to plan safe and socially distanced transport home for the two Irish women. The MV Hondius is expected to reach the island of Tenerife today. Once the ship has docked, passengers will be tested on board before they disembark."

"“Ann is in very good spirits,” he said. “She is hoping to dock in the Canaries in the early hours of [this morning]. One thing she did say is she was delighted with the arrangement.” Mr McCarthy, who spoke by phone to Ms Lane yesterday, said there is a “question mark” over the length of quarantine period that Ms Lane and the friend she is travelling with may have to endure on their return, but added that she was “hugely positive”."

"Colm Henry, chief clinical officer with the HSE, declined to comment on transport arrangements, but said the priority is to get the passengers home safely. “For the cruise ship and the passengers on board, this is a very serious situation, and it is of huge concern to their families,” Dr Henry said. “We consider the risk to the population to be very low. This is not influenza. This is not Covid-19. It is not something so contagious that it can spread across the Irish populat"

Two Irish women returning from Spain may need quarantine for up to six weeks to ensure they are not carrying an infection. Health officials are assessing whether quarantine can occur at home or must take place in a medical facility. Irish authorities are coordinating with Spanish and EU counterparts to arrange safe, socially distanced transport home. The MV Hondius is expected to dock in Tenerife, after which passengers will be tested on board before disembarking. Irish passenger Ann Lane is reported to be in good spirits and pleased with the evacuation arrangements. A clinical officer said the priority is safe return and that the risk to the general population is very low, with the infection described as not comparable to influenza or Covid-19 in contagiousness.

Read at Irish Independent