Coronavirus: Holland America’s Zaandam, Rotterdam get permission to transit Panama Canal
Things are starting to go Holland America’s way after Panama’s Ministry of Health gave the cruise line permission for two of its ships, MS Zaandam and MS Rotterdam to transit the Panama Canal, expediting their return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by two days.
As of Friday, four elderly passengers on the Zaandam had died of coronavirus; 138 more have reported flu-like symptoms associated with the virus that had sickened nearly 664,700 people and killed nearly 31,000 worldwide as of Saturday night. Of several symptomatic passengers who were tested, two tested positive for COVID-19.Â
“We are aware of reported permission for both Zaandam and Rotterdam to transit the Panama Canal in the near future. We greatly appreciate this consideration in the humanitarian interest of our guests and crew,” Holland America said in a statement issued by spokeswoman Sally Andrews late Saturday night. “This remains a dynamic situation, and we continue to work with the Panamanian authorities to finalize details.”
According to an email statement obtained by USA TODAY late Saturday evening, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed it was preparing to facilitate the transit of the Zaandam through the waterway, after receiving authorization from Panama’s Ministry of Health.
The agency said the Zaandam, which arrived in Panamanian waters Friday, are currently anchored just outside of the Canal and “will be scheduled for transit after entering Canal waters.” It added, “According to the Zaandam’s itinerary, the vessel was originally scheduled to transit (the canal) on April 1.”
Healthy, sick passengers had been separated between ships
Friday afternoon, Holland America transferred nearly 100 healthy passengers from the Zaandam to the Rotterdam.
A possible reason for dividing the passengers became clearer late Friday.Â
Holland America said the Zaandam arrived in Panamanian waters on Friday and had since been following the protocol of Panama’s Ministry of Health, which originally stated that if a vessel has individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 on board, it cannot make any port operations or transit the Canal.
By transferring the healthy passengers transferred to the Rotterdam, they would have been more likely to obtain permission to transit the Panama Canal and continue their journey back to the U.S.
“Today we announced a plan to transfer groups of healthy Zaandam guests to Rotterdam, with strict protocols for this process developed in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” Holland America said in a statement released by spokesman Erik Elvejord. “Only those who have not been ill will be moved, and health screenings will be conducted before transferring.”
Andrea Bergmann Anderson, 63, a passenger from Ohio, was one of the passengers hoping to be given medical clearance to move to the Rotterdam. But first, she had to pass a questionnaire and temperature screening.
“I went to the medical center nine days ago because of the sinus infection and a cough,” she told USA TODAY Friday afternoon, adding she completed two rounds of antibiotics for the infection. Her husband, Rob, had also reported a cold to the medical center. She was feeling a bit nervous that she would not be allowed to transfer because of her visit to the center. “We filled out a medial form, and we were honest.”
Andrea and Rob were not among the passengers to get the green light to switch ships.
A little later on Friday afternoon, Andrea told USA TODAY that they had not passed the health screening. Neither had a fever at the time of the screening and neither was asked to take a test for COVID-19. But they were told they would be remaining on the Zaandam nonetheless.
“I am kind of depressed about this,” she said. “I had hoped that we could go and that the ship would be clear to disembark. We could have lied, but that would not be right.”
Andrea understood why she and Rob weren’t allowed to make the switch, in spite of her disappointment. “They have be careful.”
Zaandam caught at sea as cruise lines agreed to suspend operationsÂ
Holland America Line, along with major cruise lines worldwide, announced March 13 it would suspend cruise operations for at least 30 days and end its cruises in progress. But cruise ships that were at sea at the time that were stuck on the water. They have been denied ports and scrambled to get passengers disembarked amid the coronavirus pandemic.Â
The Zaandam began its South American voyage from Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7 and was originally scheduled to end the sailing in San Antonio, Chile, March 21.
No one has been off the ship since March 14 when it was in Punta Arenas, Chile.
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Contributing: Andrea Mandell
