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COVID-19 cases at Meyer Werft will not impact Odyssey sea trials

Royal Caribbean International has confirmed that immediate action has been taken following the identification of six employees with coronavirus at Germany's Meyer Werft, where Odyssey of the Seas has been under construction.

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Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

'The team is currently preparing the ship for sea trials,' Royal Caribbean said in a statement. 'As part of the stringent protocols put in place by the shipyard, all shipyard workers and crew members must receive a negative PCR test result before boarding. Once on board, the ship conducts daily testing. This process allowed Meyer Werft to detect any possible COVID-19 cases and take the necessary measures to contain the spread of the virus. Earlier this week, six shipyard workers were identified after a positive test and they were immediately quarantined land side. At this time, there are no positive cases on board.'

It's alleged two people initially tested positive on March 5, prompting further tests to be carried out. All those affected have since been moved ashore to isolate in a hotel. 

Odyssey of the Seas, which has now been given the all-clear by the local Port Health Authority, completed its Ems River conveyance from the shipyard to the North Sea earlier this month; forthcoming sea trials are not expected to be impacted.

Crew and passenger vaccination will be mandatory for Odyssey of the Seas when it debuts from Haifa, Israel, in May.

 

About the Authors

Holly Payne

Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

Holly is Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review & Seatrade Cruise News and has experience managing a range of highly successful international business and consumer titles. With a flair for video reporting and a history of overseas work documenting people and places of diverse cultures, Holly brings a variety of skills to the Seatrade Cruise portfolio.

Holly’s academic credentials include oral and written Arabic language skills (intermediate-advanced), an MA Multimedia Journalism with NCTJ accreditation, and a BA (Hons) Degree in Classical and Archaeological Studies with English and American Literature.

 

Frederik Erdmann

German Correspondent

Frederik Erdmann is Seatrade's German cruise correspondent since 2002. Following secondary school graduation he joined the port agency network, Sartori & Berger, on a vocational training program. After subsequent studies of Business Administration, Frederik Erdmann held various positions at Sartori & Berger until 2010. After a period of working with the Flensburg Chamber of Commerce, he was appointed Designated Person Safety/Security, Environment and Quality of the coastal ferry operator, Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei. As a maritime trade press correspondent and visiting lecturer of the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences,

Frederik Erdmann concentrates on ferry and cruise ship management, port development as well as safety and security in passenger shipping. He is also a member of the Flensburg Chamber of Commerce's Tourism Committee.

 

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