Canary Islands Disembarkation: Spain's Plan for the Hondius
Spain's Health Minister confirmed the MV Hondius will dock in the Canary Islands. Here's how the disembarkation, screening, and repatriation will work.
"Once the ship docks, passengers can disembark"
On 7 May 2026, Spanish Health Minister Mónica García announced that passengers aboard the MV Hondius would be allowed to disembark once the ship reaches port in the Canary Islands (Forbes ES, May 2026).
The decision followed days of negotiation between Oceanwide Expeditions, the Spanish government, and the regional governments of the Canary Islands, with Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) and Tenerife under consideration as the receiving port (Tenerife Weekly, 5 May 2026).
How the disembarkation works
Per official statements, the operational plan involves:
- Health screening on arrival by Sanidad Exterior (Spanish border health authorities)
- Isolation and medical care for any cases or symptomatic passengers in dedicated hospital facilities
- Quarantine and monitoring for asymptomatic close contacts during the Andes-virus incubation window (up to ~6 weeks)
- Repatriation of international passengers home in coordination with their national authorities
Who is on board
WHO and Africa CDC reporting confirm 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries, including 9 EU/EEA member states. Spanish authorities confirmed 14 Spanish nationals aboard (Diario de Alicante, May 2026; WHO DON 599).
Sources: Forbes España, Tenerife Weekly, Diario de Alicante, WHO, Africa CDC, Spanish Ministry of Health press conferences.
