No special procedures for cruise ships

Health authorities have recommended that events where more than 500 people are gathered in one place should either be cancelled or held without spectators.

This recommendation has been implemented for instance in sports and music, where many events have gone ahead without spectators.

But these precautions do not appear to be apply to big cruise ships arriving in Faroese ports, as passengers are merely advised to exercise care and caution.

Friday saw this year’s first cruise ship visiting the Faroes, when MS Magellan landed in Kollafjørður with 1,154 passengers, who travelled to Tórshavn by coach.

This caused unease in certain circles in the capital, prompting some stores, including knitwear store Marjun Heimá, to close for the day.

Busy cruise season ahead

A total of 66 cruise ships are scheduled to land in the Faroe Islands this summer – 53 in Tórshavn, five in Klaksvík and eight in Runavík – according to the latest list from harbour authorities.

Ships are required to report any incidents of infectious diseases on board before arrival in the Faroes, but this was also the case prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

According to Faroese police chief Michael Boolsen, there are currently no plans to implement any further measures regarding cruise ships.

The official number of coronavirus cases in the country remains at two, as no new cases have been identified over the weekend, according to the health authorities.

Translated by prosa.fo