Hantavirus outbreak ‘not start of pandemic’ says WHO, as Canaries secure concessions over cruise docking plans - as it happened

Health body gives briefing as Spain says ship will not dock in Tenerife but be anchored offshore and passengers will have no contact with the public Back to the virus-hit cruise, Fernando Clavijo, the regional president of the Canaries, has said he persuaded the central government not to allow the MV Hondius to dock in Tenerife. Clavijo had objected over the boat’s arrival, saying it could threaten public health in the archipelago, and had demanded a meeting with the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez. He eventually got a meeting today with Spain’s health minister, Mónica García, who told him the boat would remain at anchor. “Collaboration can only happen with information, accuracy, and respect for the Canary Islands. Today I reiterated to the State our opposition to the cruise ship docking in the Canary Islands. We have succeeded in getting the national government to accept the proposal put forward by the islands that the ship not dock under any circumstances and remain anchored until the passengers have disembarked, ensuring all safety guarantees for the people of the Canary Islands and for those traveling on board.” Authorities around the world are racing to trace dozens o