Several passengers who disembarked from the virus-stricken MV Hondius were observed without properly fitting facemasks shortly after the stricken ship docked in Spain’s Canary Islands.

A passenger, thought to be from the Netherlands, was photographed waving to reporters from the back of a bus after removing his mask. Another passenger from the vessel was seen with a facemask hanging from his ear, contrasting with the surrounding individuals fully equipped with PPE.

Reports indicate that a Spanish healthcare worker from the state-deployed medical support team was witnessed stripping off his PPE in a public area after stepping off one of the buses provided by the military’s emergency response unit, the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME).

Amid concerns that their region could face another pandemic-era crisis, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was questioned by journalists regarding the relaxed approach to quarantine measures.

Ghebreyesus highlighted the elderly demographic of the passengers affected by the ray-transmitted illness from the vessel, emphasizing that many already face various health challenges due to advancing age.

While WHO officials appeared unfazed by the lax attitude towards mask-wearing, social media users expressed discontent, citing the strict mask mandates during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following disembarkation from the infected cruise ship at Tenerife, a passenger began showing hantavirus symptoms while being repatriated to France, confirmed the country’s prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu.

French nationals evacuated from the MV Hondius were immediately placed in strict isolation after the symptomatic passenger exhibited signs on a chartered flight from Tenerife to Paris.

Despite assurances from local health authorities on the seriousness of quarantine and decontamination measures, residents remain anxious about the potential for another pandemic outbreak in their homeland.

Healthcare worker David Hernández expressed worry about the arrival of the MV Hondius in Tenerife, recalling the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and emphasizing the need for strict protocols.

The Canary Islands witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases in February 2020, leading to a significant impact on tourism, the primary economic driver of the region.

Residents, including retired teacher Francesca Borges, expressed concerns about the recurrence of crisis situations and the perceived neglect of the Canary Islands by the Spanish government in times of need.