The image of a healthcare team member, part of the support for Spanish passengers from the MV Hondius, who were infected with hantavirus, has ignited a debate regarding safety protocols during the transfer operation. The incident occurred during the journey from the Port of Granadilla de Abona to Tenerife South Airport.
The professional, a psychiatrist from the Mental Health Commission providing psychological assistance to those affected, was observed disembarking from one of the buses without a mask and holding his PPE suit, near the airport's runway.
“"The healthcare worker exited the vehicle earlier because “they cannot access the restricted area” and only individuals boarding those planes are permitted entry."
The head of Civil Protection explained that the protocol stipulated the healthcare worker should wear the PPE inside the vehicle, as it was an enclosed space, and remove it once outside to deposit it in a specific container located in the area, before proceeding to the auxiliary command post at the airport.
Although the official had not viewed the video, she stated her confidence that the healthcare worker had acted in accordance with the biosecurity protocol, suggesting the material might have been deposited within the airport's command post, despite the video not explicitly showing this.
