Tenerife Dock Workers Protest as MV Hondius Cruise Ship with Hantavirus Outbreak Nears
The MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak, is scheduled to disembark passengers in Tenerife this weekend. The Spanish government, in agreement with the World Health Organisation, authorised the vessel's arrival from Cape Verde, where three individuals were medically evacuated.
On Friday, dock workers in Santa Cruz protested outside the Canary Islands' parliament, expressing concerns about potential health hazards and inadequate safety measures. Joana Batista, a union representative, stated, "We're unhappy at the idea of being allowed to work in a port without special safety measures or information when an infected boat is approaching." Some workers have threatened to obstruct the ship's arrival without assurances on safety protocols and public information.
María de la Luz Sedeño, a nutritionist observing the protest, criticised the central government's decision, citing disregard for opposition from Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands' regional president. Sedeño, like many islanders, views this incident as further evidence of the region bearing the brunt of international issues, drawing parallels with the ongoing influx of migrants from North and West Africa.
In response to accusations of high-handedness, the Socialist-led central government clarified the disembarkation plan. The MV Hondius will anchor offshore, with passengers ferried to the industrial port of Granadilla, away from residential areas. Non-Spanish nationals will be repatriated, while the 14 Spanish citizens aboard will be quarantined in Madrid. Virginia Barcones, head of Spain's civil protection agency, guaranteed that local residents "will be absolutely and completely protected," with no contact between passengers and the public.
This information has somewhat assuaged fears among some islanders. Marialaina Retina Fernández, a pensioner, expressed a degree of resignation, stating, "It's not ideal that they all end up coming here, but if they say they'll do everything possible to make sure nobody gets infected, let's hope that's how it is."
The far-right Vox party has attempted to exploit the situation, linking the cruise ship's arrival to migrant landings. For many Canary islanders, the multi-national aspect of the cruise ship serves as an unwelcome reminder of the initial stages of the Covid pandemic, which saw Spain's first identified case on La Gomera and subsequent hotel confinement in Tenerife.
