The Royal Netherlands Navy has temporarily taken four naval vessels out of service after a Covid-19 outbreak was discovered on board. The ships are locked down, the crew is at home. The HNLMS Karel Doorman, HNLMS Van Speijk and HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën were halfway to the Hybrid Archer exercise in Norway, but returned to Den Helder.
This was reported by Dutch newspaper Reformatorisch Dagblad.
The three vessels left on Monday 1 February. On all three warships, one seafarer tested positive for corona. Because source and contact investigations among the other crew members would have too much impact on the deployment, the navy has decided to recall the ships.
Also read: Dutch naval exercise in Norway plagued by corona
HNLMS Van Amstel
HNLMS Van Amstel has been ashore in Den Helder since Tuesday, after twelve contaminations were counted on board. Corona was also discovered on a fifth vessel, HNLMS Vlaardingen, but this ship would be able to leave should this be necessary. The Vlaardingen has been in Den Helder since Friday.
Source: ANP
