Hurtigruten hit hard by coronavirus - update

Hurtigruten hit hard by coronavirus - update


August 01, 2020 - Yesterday we reported that three crew members on the Hurtigruten ship Roald Amundsen were infected with COVID-19. It has now been established that 38 of a total of 158 crew members tested positive for the virus. None of the employees showed symptoms of infection. Ship guests are requested to go into quarantine.

The Hurtigruten shipping company was sure of its cause: on July 7th we wrote that, according to the company, there were no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 on any of the Hurtigruten ships. In order to make future trips even safer and to guarantee the health and safety of guests and crew, the hygiene and safety standards on board have been supplemented by numerous new measures. These include reduced guest capacity, strict hygiene protocols, health checks and screenings, frequent temperature measurements on board and numerous other measures.

Hurtigruten - hybrid ship Roald Amundsen

Hurtigruten - Hybrid ship Roald Amundsen - Photo © Hurtigruten


Originally, four crew members showed symptoms of serious illness but no symptoms of COVID-19. They were taken into isolation several days earlier. They were diagnosed with COVID-19 yesterday. A subsequent test of the crew led to the described, shocking result.

The crew and the guests have left the ship. As for the 385 passengers on two trips made, there is an obligation to quarantine in accordance with Norwegian health regulations. Hurtigruten guarantees that it will support the affected ship guests with regard to accommodation, transport, food and other matters. The trip to Svalbord scheduled for yesterday afternoon is canceled. No travel activities are expected at Roald Amundsen before September.