Developments in Portugal's cruise cruise affair • Corona patients were spotted on the ship, and it is unclear when the Israelis will be able to return to Israel • "Without equipment and drugs"

• The group of Israelis who went on a pleasure cruise

On the way to the "Corona Ship 2" affair? After we posted here in Israel Today that 13 Israelis, ages 65 to 75, are "stuck" on a cruise ship off the coast of Portugal and are not allowed to board it, it now becomes clear that the ship in question was a number of Corona patients.

The ship, called FANTASY and belongs to MSC, left Brazil about two weeks ago, carrying 13 Israelis. Most, as mentioned, are in their 60s and 70s, and some suffer from background illnesses, which puts them at risk for the virus.

Photo: Gil Kramer

At the beginning of the week, the ship docked off the coast of Lisbon, shortening its trajectory, which was supposed to end in Spain, due to the rapid spread of the Corona virus in its territory, which has taken many victims. After docking in front of Portugal, several thousand passengers were removed from it, but the Israelis remained on it because they did not have a European passport. According to the shipping company, the Ministry of Health does not allow them to enter Israel without having a corona test, and on the other hand the Portuguese authorities do not allow them to enter and enter the country, as it is in complete quarantine.

Now, as mentioned, it turns out on the ship that there were several people infected with the Corona virus. Patients were evacuated from the ship, and it is unknown how much time they spent on the ship while carrying the virus. However, it is probably a few days.

Remember, in the case of the "Corona ship" docked off the coast of Japan, which included thousands of people, around 700 people were infected with the virus. Among the contractors were also some Israelis.

No medication and no luggage

The 13 Israelis staying on the ship are there without medication and appropriate medical equipment, causing even greater concerns among passengers. If that is not enough, the Israelis are also staying without their luggage, as their honor was sent to Frankfurt, where they were scheduled to fly on Monday this week, but the flight was canceled - the shipping company claims. Earlier in the day the shipping company announced to Israelis that they had a flight to Paris, but even then they were notified that the flight was canceled even though the Israelis, 13 French, should note, were given their places on the plane which nevertheless took off to the French capital.

Rolling of responsibility between the shipping company and the Ministry of Health

The story that was first published here, in "Israel Today," develops with evasions and accusations from the shipping company and the Ministry of Health. Those who are trying to help Israelis and are in contact with them are foreign ministers, including the Israeli ambassador to Portugal.

At present, the Ministry of Health ignores the case and passes the responsibility to the Foreign Ministry. The Foreign Ministry reports that inspections will be carried out for all those Israelis, and that they will be allowed to disembark. Meanwhile, the Israelis on the ship are being told every day that they are supposed to be returning home, flying from Portugal to Germany, France and other solutions, but in practice they are still on the ship, without their medicines and no luggage.

MSC said: "The event that has been taking place in recent days and is not expected and is taking place in light of changes being written to us by the various authorities. The ongoing updates of the Portuguese and Israeli authorities have created complexities and, in addition, the aviation restrictions currently in place. The safety of passengers is above all and we make sure that they feel comfortable and safe while on board. Plus, make sure you keep up with them all the time. "

MSC CRUISES has organized a special flight to Frankfurt to confirm the immediate lowering of passengers. The respect of Israeli passengers has come down to the airport and to the designated airplane. At the last minute, the Portuguese authorities did not authorize the removal of Israeli passengers from the ship and requested special permits from the Israeli Ministry of Health. At this time, we are working in coordination with the authorities in Israel and Portugal to authorize the dropping of Israeli passengers and at the same time work on finding flights for them. "

"Passengers have been given suite rooms to enhance their stay and feel. In addition, they have 24/7 medical staff and the ship's staff providing room service. We sincerely apologize for the hassle they go through which is unfortunately out of our control. We do our best for passengers and continuous contact with them," they added Shipping company.