Staff who were aboard a cruise ship that turned around en route to the Caribbean after a Covid-19 outbreak were finally allowed onshore for the first time since docking in Liverpool.
The ECHO previously reported the luxury Fred Olsen cruise liner returned to Liverpool instead of sailing to the Caribbean as planned following a covid outbreak amongst staff and passengers.
The Borealis has been docked at Liverpool Cruise Terminal since last month after Fred Olsen was forced to make an abrupt change to its schedule.
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A spokesperson for Fred Olsen has now confirmed there were no positive cases on board the Borealis for 10 days so staff have been allowed ashore before the ship departs for Norway on February 11.
The extended presence of the Borealis at the cruise terminal raised questions but Fred Olsen told the ECHO it was remaining docked following a schedule change.
But following information provided by someone who was on board the ship during the voyage, the ECHO put new claims to Fred Olsen who confirmed there had been positive covid cases on the ship.
The cruise company said the cases were predominantly among the crew and all those had mild or no symptoms.
Fred Olsen added full refunds would be provided to guests of the previous cruise.
The ship is set to leave Liverpool on February 11 on a 16-night tour around Norway in search of the Northern Lights.
Stuart Ferguson, Head of Quality and Resource at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “In the past 10 days, we have had no positive Covid-19 cases aboard Borealis amongst our crew.
"We know that being able to head ashore is so important to our team on board, and so we are allowing our crew to enjoy some downtime off the ship before we sail to Norway on Friday.
“All crew have been asked to wear masks at all times while ashore, unless eating or drinking, to avoid large crowds and observe social distancing, and everyone will need to return to the ship by 6pm each day.”
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