pandemic
Corona falls hold cruise ship in Lisbon
The cruise ship “Aida Nova” in the cruise terminal in Lisbon. Photo: Soeren Stache / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Cruising in Corona times can be a risky proposition. In Lisbon, the passengers of the “Aida Nova” had to take an involuntary shore leave on New Year’s Eve.
Almost 3000 cruise passengers from Germany, among others, had to spend New Year’s Eve unplanned on land in Lisbon due to Corona.
Because of several dozen cases of infection among the crew, the continuation of the cruise ship “Aida Nova” in the port of the Portuguese city was delayed until the new year. The planned trip to view the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks over the port of Funchal on the Atlantic island of Madeira was canceled, which, according to reports on social networks, spoiled the New Year’s and party mood for some passengers.
52 of the 1353 crew members tested positive
Aida Cruises said on Friday in Rostock that the positive corona cases were discovered early in routine tests and those affected were accommodated on land in coordination with the authorities in Lisbon. The crew members had only mild symptoms and would receive medical attention. Previously, «RTL.de» reported on it.
The Lisbon port director Diogo Vieira Branco told the Portuguese state news agency Lusa that 52 of the 1353 crew members had tested positive on the “Aida Nova”. They were all accommodated in hotels in Lisbon, where they should complete the required isolation. The port commander was quoted by Lusa late Friday evening as saying that there were 2,844 tourists on the ship, among whom there was no positive case.
According to this information, the Portuguese authorities have given the Aida Nova permission to sail, regardless of the thinned out crew. According to Aida Cruises, it was not yet clear when the ship would continue its voyage to the Canary Islands. They are waiting for important crew members to arrive and are looking at various travel options, the company told the German Press Agency on request. According to the information, the cruise guests are allowed to leave the ship without restrictions.
The company pointed out that all passengers aged 12 and over and the crew had been vaccinated and that both an antigen and a PCR test had to be carried out before starting the journey.