Fishing crew return from quarantine

Crew from a fishing boat that docked in Christchurch have recovered from Covid-19 and are back on their ship after a short stay in managed isolation.

Sixteen of the 18 crew from the Spanish-flagged Playa Zahara tested positive for the virus before arriving at Lyttelton Port on July 18.

Thirteen crew members were initially transferred to the quarantine wing of the Sudima Hotel near Christchurch Airport, but the Ministry of Health reported yesterday they were back on board.

One crew member, also recovered, had left the country to return home.

In yesterday’s Covid-19 update, the ministry reported two new historical cases from crew members.

Health and border authorities were continuing to manage the situation around the Mattina, currently stationed in Bluff, the ministry said.

Fifteen crew members had tested positive for Covid-19 onboard. On Thursday evening, the ministry confirmed genome sequencing had revealed they were carrying the highly infectious Delta variant.

Five crew, who tested negative, had been transferred to managed isolation facilities onshore.

The remainder remained isolated on board the vessel to keep it running, the ministry said. They would not have direct contact with any port staff.

‘‘These plans have been put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the negative crew members at the same time as the health and wellbeing of members of the community.

‘‘In both instances, the public health risk to the community has been deemed low.’’

Further north, 10 crew members were now quarantined onboard the Viking Bay fishing boat, docked at Queens Wharf in Wellington. They were transferred back from a managed isolation facility in Wellington once it had been deemed safe.

Another 10 crew members remained in isolation onshore.

Stuff last week reported the mariners on the Playa Zahara did not legally have to pay any managed isolation and quarantine costs – although health officials were talking to the shipping company about a contribution.

A normal stay in quarantine for 13 people in separate rooms would cost $71,760, according to the current charges for MIQ.

Six of the Playa Zahara mariners had the Delta variant and investigations continue into how they caught the virus.