Spain’s head of civil protection Virginia Barcones is giving more details about what those on board the vessel can expect after arriving in the Canary Islands.
“From the moment when we see that asymptomatic people are ready to be evacuated from our country, there will be a quick process,” she says.
“They will not leave the boat until the plane is there to take them to their countries. Once they leave the boat, they will be taken by road, it’s about a 10-minute drive.”
Barcones insists “we can ensure the wellbeing of the people who are on this boat so we can protect public health”.
“Mechanisms are being put together, but they will be completely isolated from the public,” she adds.
“They will be taken to an isolated fenced off place, they will be in isolated vehicles, they will reach an area of the airport that will be completely isolated.
“There is no possibility of contact.”
Ship to be inspected as it arrives in Canary Islands
We’re hearing from Pedro Gullon, the general director of public health and equity in Spain.
He says the international risk assessment for public health is that it’s a “very low risk”.
“The risk for the public is a very low risk, it’s important to know this,” he says.
“We need to take all necessary control measures.”
Gullon says the vessel will be inspected when it arrives in the Canary Islands.
“Then we are in touch with doctors on board so we get a daily update on everything that’s happening on the boat,” he adds.
“Once we know what’s going on, if there are no new cases, we can proceed to take people to their place of origin.”
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