Health sets May 6 as the start of the MV Hondius quarantine: it will last up to 42 days

The Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, confirmed this Monday that the quarantine established for the passengers of the MV Hondius will begin to be counted from May 6 and may extend up to a maximum of 42 days. The decision has been adopted after a joint analysis between the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the Centre for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies. According to Padilla explained in an interview granted to TVE, May 6 is considered the key date as it is identified as the last day of potential contact between the passengers affected by the hantavirus outbreak detected on the cruise.

The health leader pointed out that the authorities have carried out “a detailed analysis of all the relationships that had been within the ship” before setting the official start of the quarantine. From that date, he explained, the internationally recommended epidemiological surveillance period begins to control possible contagions of the hantavirus variant. The Government keeps the evacuated passengers under surveillance and, especially, the 14 Spanish citizens affected by the preventive measures activated after the arrival of the ship in Tenerife.

Padilla also detailed that the first week of isolation will be “more strict” and will be marked by continuous health controls and PCR tests. During those first days, Spanish passengers will not be able to receive visits while awaiting the results of the scheduled medical analyses. The Secretary of State indicated that the authorities will review the situation “week by week” and do not rule out adapting the measures based on the clinical and epidemiological evolution of those affected. However, he avoided anticipating possible relaxations related to home quarantine and defended maintaining an attitude of “prudence” in the face of the health risk.

The Government insists that the objective of the restrictions is not to generate a situation of traumatic isolation for passengers, but to guarantee safe and effective monitoring of the outbreak. “We have the will that the quarantine is not experienced as an instrument aimed at undermining their morale,” Padilla assured during the interview. While health controls continue, Spanish authorities maintain coordination with international organizations and with different countries involved in the repatriations from the MV Hondius, which has become the epicenter of an international health alert for hantavirus.