Hurtigruten’s chief operations officer Bent Martini who was travelling on the Roald Amundsen when it docked in Tromso, Norway, has temporarily stepped down. It was not clear whether he tested positive, or whether he was involved in the decision to send passengers ashore without notifying them of the Covid outbreak on 1 August, which saw four crew taken ill and tested positive.

The cruise line has been severely criticized as irresponsible in its handling of the outbreak of coronavirus onboard Roald Amundsen. The number of people who tested positive for Covid-19 is now 41 crew members and 21 passengers.

Hurtigruten has now cancelled all expedition sailings, including a series of planned cruises around the UK, until further notice.

All 158 crew members remain quarantined on the ship, which is still in port in Tromso.

Norway’s Prime Minister and Health Minister both expressed anger and local news reports branded the company’s actions “unforgiveable”.

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