Four people aboard the cruise ship Mein Schiff 2 which is sailing week-long itineraries to the Canary Islands tested positive for Covid-19, reports the German news magazine Stern. The guests tested positive for Covid-19 at the end of the last week’s voyage, said a spokesperson for Tui Cruises on Tuesday "The four people were immediately isolated on board and later taken to quarantine accommodation on land in Gran Canaria."

After completing the contact tracing nine guests and eleven crew members were identified as direct contacts and tested for the virus. The results of all direct contacts came back negative. All guests and crew on board were also tested for Covid-19 and there was no additional positive case detected. As a precautionary measure and in line with the company’s health protocols the direct contacts were also isolated on board and then accommodated accordingly on land in a quarantine facility in Gran Canaria. 

About 1,000 guests tested negative for the coronavirus and were able to travel back home to Germany on Friday as scheduled. All 800 shipboard employees also tested negative for Covid-19.

After guests disembarked Mein Schiff 2, the vessel was thoroughly sanitized, and in consultation with the authorities was allowed to continue with the next scheduled voyage. Tui said that this proves that the safety and health protocols work because the virus didn't spread further on board. 

Mein Schiff 2 is one of the few cruise ships currently sailing with guests. The ship started with regular cruises on November 6, 2020 from the homeport Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, offering guests 7- and 14-night Blue Voyages around the Canary Islands with calls at Arrecife, Tenerife, La Gomera, Puerto del Rosario, Tenerife, Santa Cruz De La Palma. The passenger capacity is limited to a maximum of 60%, and only the balcony staterooms and suites are occupied.