The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians at home and abroad very seriously.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC), along with other Government of Canada departments and agencies, are working with domestic public health authorities and international partners, including Spain, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to monitor the Andes Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius and to put in place appropriate public health protocols and supports for travellers who will be or have already returned to Canada.

Canadian officials are providing consular assistance to the four Canadian citizens aboard the MV Hondius. A GAC consular official has been on site in Tenerife, Spain since Thursday, along with a public health officer from PHAC. They are in direct contact with the Canadian passengers. As confirmed by medical staff onboard the ship, all passengers have been following strict isolation protocols aboard the ship since May 4 and remain asymptomatic.

Canada chartered an aircraft to repatriate Canadians from Tenerife, Spain. During the direct flight back to Canada, public health measures are in place to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members, including masking and physical distancing. The PHAC Officer is also on board the repatriation flight. PHAC is coordinating all health procedures, with active health monitoring of the passengers and will continue to work closely with relevant provincial and territorial authorities and local public health upon arrival in Canada.

The MV Hondius arrived in the Canary Islands on Sunday, May 10. Prior to disembarkment, public health officials conducted a final assessment of each passenger before they were brought ashore by small vessels, where distancing between passengers was maintained. Spanish medical personnel conducted a further screening before passengers boarded a bus and were transported directly to the airport, and straight onto their aircraft for departure.

PHAC’s Officer assessed the individuals as asymptomatic upon boarding the plane. The Canadian chartered aircraft with the four Canadians is flying to Bagotville, QC arriving Sunday afternoon where the travellers will change planes for a flight to an airport in BC.

Upon arrival in BC, the travellers will be assessed by local public health before leaving the airport to stay at a pre-determined location to self-isolate for a minimum of 21 days (dating back to May 6, the last day a confirmed case was on board the ship). At the end of this period, local public health in BC will reassess their situation based on their health assessment and the WHO’s guidance to determine if there is a need to extend the self-isolation period to a maximum of 42 days in total since the last possible exposure on board the ship.

The Minister of National Defence has authorized the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to assist GAC and PHAC to repatriate the four Canadian citizens. The CAF assistance is limited to short‑term logistics support and temporary facility access, facilitating the transfer of the repatriating Canadians on a chartered return and their transfer from PHAC to provincial health authorities at the destination. The CAF stand ready to rapidly respond to requests for assistance that require the unique capabilities the organization possesses.

The Government of Canada is working closely with local and provincial public health authorities in BC who will follow up and assess the health of the travellers regularly, as well as provide any assistance and personal items that may be needed.

The travellers will also have access to medical care and mental health and psychological support, as well as testing if they develop any symptoms. PHAC’s assessment, consistent with that of the WHO, continues to be that the overall risk in Canada to the general population from the Andes hantavirus cluster linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low. While transmission between people can occur this is very rare and requires close, prolonged contact with someone who is sick.

We thank all four of these Canadians for their cooperation during this difficult voyage. The Government of Canada’s priority is supporting their health and wellbeing, as well as that of all Canadians. We will continue to work closely with all partners to ensure everyone’s safety and we will continue to update Canadians.