The Canary Islands government has refused to allow the mv hondius cruise ship to anchor for more than 24 hours at puerto de granadilla, just hours before its scheduled arrival early sunday. The central government seeks a 36-hour window to coordinate the evacuation of the 147 asymptomatic passengers.
Eight hours before the ship's arrival at puerto de granadilla de abona, canary islands president fernando clavijo issued an ultimatum to the central government: the vessel cannot remain anchored for more than 24 hours for the safety of the local population. The government of pedro sánchez had proposed 36 hours to await two repatriation flights scheduled for monday.
Health minister mónica garcía and interior minister fernando grande-marlaska oversaw the advanced command post at the port on saturday afternoon alongside who director tedros adhanom. García confirmed the operation is ready and that the passengers from 23 nationalities remain calm and symptom-free. Disembarkation will begin with the 14 spaniards, who will be taken to madrid's hospital gómez ulla.
Tedros adhanom stated in a letter to tenerife residents that the contagion risk is low and that this is not another covid-19. The ship will arrive between 4.00 and 6.00 am on sunday and passengers will be evacuated by zodiacs to planes already prepared or arriving on sunday.
