The passenger shipping company Brittany Ferries announced it is suspending all passenger services as a result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis. BF had already suspended some crossings and announced that the last passengers would leave Santander Spain on Saturday, March 21, bound for Portsmouth UK. Travellers will be asked to remain in their staterooms over the coming days and bring their own food.
The ferry services are suspended until at least March 23. Freight ferries will continue operating between the continent, and Portsmouth and Rosslare.
BF said passengers should only travel if their trips were "essential" and that so far the company is in "good financial health". There were no plans for job losses among its ~2500 employees, including 300 in the UK. A BF spokesman said that some staff would work from home, while others might need to take annual leave.
Previously Brittany Ferries said it regretted the disruption and would resume services as soon as the situation allowed.
For Coronavirus updates on cruise ship quarantines (infected passengers and crew) and top-pandemic countries (COVID-19 cases and deaths, daily updated statistics) see at CruiseMapper's Norovirus page.