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An employee of the Kiel ferry developed symptoms of a respiratory infection. Later, the German health authorities incorporated rapid tests.
This is Color Magic’s sister ship, Color Fantasy. Both are in Oslo-Kiel cruise traffic now during the corona pandemic. Photo: Krister Sørbø / NTB scanpix
On Wednesday night, an employee of the restaurant on board the Kiel ferry MS “Color Magic” developed symptoms of a respiratory infection. The ship was heading from Oslo to Kiel.
This would have consequences for the unfortunate passengers who were on a cruise for fun.
– She reported feeling bad. We take immediate action, says Helge Otto Mathisen, Color Line’s Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Relations.
– The employee was quarantined in his cabin. We immediately verified who his close contacts were.
13 passengers and another employee were defined as close contacts.
– In consultation with the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), all were put in a hut until the situation was clarified, says Mathisen.
– We immediately took action when the employee reported that she was feeling unwell, says Helge Otto Mathisen, Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Relations for Color Line. Photo: Color line
I got help in Kiel
Passengers of the “Color Magic” are on board for the entire trip without landing in Kiel now during the pandemic. But the German health authorities were contacted and the rapid tests were taken on board.
– All close contacts and the employee himself tested negative. When they took the test again, they were able to escape the cabins, says Mathiesen.
– At that time, FHI did not assume that there was an imminent risk of infection.
According to Mathisen, FHI recommends that the employee undergo a proper test when she lands in Oslo tomorrow at 10 o’clock.
– How did the passengers react to being locked inside the cabins while on a cruise ship?
– They took it very well. They are offered new rides or a ticket refund, and they were well taken care of in their serviced cabins and all, says Mathisen.
– If the rapid tests prove to be a good indication of infection, it is a great advantage for us to use them on board.
