Australians on virus-hit cruise ship to return home in days, but concerns linger
Australians and permanent residents on the virus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius are set to return home, but the journey is not without its challenges and controversies. The ship, carrying over 140 people, has been docked off the Canary Islands, with passengers finally beginning to disembark on Sunday night (Sunday night AEST).
The Australian government's priority is the safety of its citizens and the community, with consular officers in Tenerife and Canberra coordinating the response. The Commonwealth and states are working on health and transport arrangements to ensure a safe return.
The ship's passengers, including four Australian citizens, one permanent resident, and a New Zealand national, will be checked for symptoms before being transported to their destinations. The operation is expected to be completed by Monday, with the Australian flight leaving around 5 pm (2 am Tuesday AEST) and carrying medical personnel to monitor the passengers.
However, the journey is not without its controversies. Some residents of Tenerife express concern about the health risks posed by the ship's passengers, with the Spanish Health Minister, Monica Garcia, reassuring the community that the risk of an outbreak on land remains low. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also addressed the concerns, stating that the current public health risk from hantavirus is low.
Despite the reassurances, some passengers and crew members have voiced concerns about being stigmatized. The 69-year-old resident Simon Vidal expressed his disapproval of the ship's presence in the Canary Islands, questioning why it had to be brought there instead of elsewhere. Others, like the 27-year-old Venezuelan immigrant Samantha Aguero, empathize with the passengers but still feel unsafe due to the lack of perceived security measures.
The operation to let passengers leave the stricken ship could be delayed, with Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo claiming that some repatriation flights had not arrived on time. He even considered canceling the operation due to the health risks it would pose to his community. The Spanish nationals on board will be transferred to a medical facility and quarantined, with only 13 Spanish passengers and one crew member allowed to quarantine in Spain.
The Australian government has not specified the duration of the quarantine, but France's Foreign Ministry mentioned that five French passengers would be in hospital for 72 hours before quarantining at home for 45 days. The ship will sail on to Rotterdam, Netherlands, for disinfection, and some crew members will remain on board.
The operation raises questions about the management of health risks and the potential impact on local communities. While the Australian government prioritizes the safety of its citizens, the concerns of the local population and the potential for stigma cannot be ignored. The journey home for the Australians and permanent residents is a complex process, requiring careful coordination and consideration of the broader implications.
