Post by Taxigirl on Nov 3, 2003 10:42:06 GMT
Spain has closed its border with Gibraltar because a virus-hit British cruise ship has docked at the colony.
The Aurora arrived in Gibraltar at 0645 GMT on Monday and healthy passengers have been allowed to disembark.
But the Spanish government has decided to take no risks and closed its borders, provoking anger from Gibraltar residents and politicians.
On Friday, the passengers were prevented from leaving the ship in Greece because of fears about their health.
There had been only seven new outbreaks of the Norwalk or Noro virus onboard by Sunday afternoon, the Gibraltarian government said.
A Gibraltan public health official went on board to give approval for healthy people among the 1,800 passengers and 840 crew to go on land.
"As a precaution passengers who have suffered or shown symptoms of the virus at any time after midnight last Thursday will not be allowed to come ashore," the government said.
One of the passengers who left the ship, Michael Goncalves, said he had recovered after suffering a bug for two days.
On the quayside, he told BBC News people were wearing masks and were told to stay away from communal eating areas.
He said: "P&O have done all they can to minimise the spreading of it.
"I lost two days when I was ill, but apart from that, I've had a great time."
Apology
Peter Caruana, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is a gross over-reaction by Spain and it responds more to politics than any public concern about Spanish public health."
Nicola Lidicoat, the wife of a British Army officer serving in Gibraltar, said: "It's any excuse to shut the border to make our lives here as difficult as possible."
David Dingle, managing director of P&O Cruises, said 11 people were still showing the symptoms.
He went on: "I'm very sorry for anyone on board who has had difficulties but we very much welcome them back on future cruises."
Over 500 passengers and 17 crew members have suffered from the virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting for two days.
"There is no need for the general public in Gibraltar to be concerned, and we should welcome these visitors to Gibraltar as usual," tourism minister Joe Holliday said.
The Aurora's owners, P&O Cruises, said the infection was believed to have been brought on board by a passenger at Southampton when it left port on 20 October for a 17-day round trip.
P&O has declined to offer a standard compensation package to the passengers, who have paid up to £5,000 for the trip, saying it will consider cases individually.
Lawyers claim they have been contacted by some passengers determined to take legal action.
'Comprehensive procedures'
One passenger told BBC News Online he would be passing the matter on to his solicitor after having his holiday ruined by the bug.
Andrew Williams, 43, from South Wales, said: "I fell ill last Sunday. We were in Sicily. I felt perfectly well. Suddenly out of the blue I was vomiting in the street.
"Not enough was done early enough to prevent the spread of the infection. They should have closed the public toilets and asked people to use the toilets in their cabins. They should have shut down the buffet.
"People are bored because they have been on board for four days, lots of people are quite fed up. It has soured the whole mood of the cruise."
Mr Williams said there were two camps on the ship, P&O regulars who thought the firm were handling the crisis well and those who are new to P&O and feel not enough was being done.
"We won't be going on another P&O cruise. I will be passing everything on to my solicitor when we get home. The whole holiday has been ruined. It is just like being on board a hospital ship."
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Are you on the Aurora or do you know someone who is? Send us your experiences.
My wife and I are joining Oceana this coming Friday. Although Oceana and Aurora are hundreds of miles apart, It is worrying to have talk of virus at this late stage. Here's hoping that the passengers still affected by the virus make a speedy recovery and that passengers on our cruise take heed of the proper sanitary precautions.
Daren Bayliss, Britain
My wife and I are passengers aboard the Aurora at the moment, and so far have avoided catching the Norwalk Virus. There is a sense of eeriness most of the time - it is so quiet, like there is no-one else aboard. Our cabin has been cleaned by staff wearing masks and gloves twice in the past few days, and there is cleaning taking place all over the ship. Hopefully we will be let off in Gibraltar, so we can enjoy the remainder of our cruise.
Bob James, UK
My mum and dad are on the Aurora at the moment. I received a text yesterday from them saying they were ok at the time. I just hope they will manage to escape the virus. We are all sat at home listening to the latest news and hoping they have got it under control.
Karen Metcalfe, England
We have travelled many times on the Aurora and also Oriana. The staff and ship maintain high standards on board with regards to hygiene food prep. etc. This over hype is damaging to P &O. I feel it is the passenger who is to blame poor standards of hygiene.
Lynn Davies, England
Now, come on... In any place, be it a hotel, cruise ship, airplane etc, that people are to come in close contact with each other on a large scale, outbreaks are going to happen. I would say that the personal hygiene of those struck down by the illness, rather then the cleanliness of the ship, is to blame.
Andi Berry, a Travel Agent - England
i am going on auroras next cruise on November 9th it will be my first cruise ever and i have not been put off.
Kathleen Yaxley, Isle of Wight England
This year I have been on Oceana, Oriana and just recently Aurora. I can only put the blame down to some passengers where they don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom then proceed back into the restaurant or other food area's.
Ray Prichard, UK
My wife and I took a cruise on the Aurora 18 months ago when it was new. It had constant problems with the waste plumbing. Our toilet frequently blocked, the whole corridor had no flush for 2 days. The staff mopped up the overspill with bath towels - I have no idea if these were re-circulated. A number of areas smelt of sewerage.
Paul Evans, England