#2026-364Emergency quarantine measures for Andes hantavirus risk linked to the MV Hondius
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This decree creates emergency public health controls for people who may have been exposed to the Andes strain of hantavirus through the MV Hondius or related travel. Passengers who were on the ship between 1 April and 10 May 2026 and are now in France must quarantine in a health facility for medical and epidemiological assessment. After that assessment, they may remain in quarantine or be placed in isolation for a total period of up to 42 days. People who had contact with an MV Hondius passenger, or with someone infected or seriously at risk of infection, can also be quarantined or isolated if health authorities find a serious infection risk. French nationals or people in France who travelled on two listed international flights from Saint Helena to Johannesburg and from Johannesburg to Amsterdam on 25 April 2026 must contact health authorities immediately and quarantine at home while their risk is assessed. Breaching the required measures can lead to public health sanctions.
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Key Changes
- Requires MV Hondius passengers present between 1 April and 10 May 2026 and now in France to quarantine in a health facility for assessment.
- Allows quarantine or isolation for exposed contacts when health authorities identify a serious infection risk, with a maximum total duration of 42 days.
- Requires passengers on two specified 25 April 2026 international flights to report to health authorities and quarantine at home pending risk assessment.
Obligations
What this law requires
Persons who stayed aboard the MV Hondius between 1 April 2026 and 10 May 2026 and have arrived in France must enter quarantine in a health facility for the time needed to complete a medical and epidemiological assessment.
After medical and epidemiological assessment, MV Hondius passengers may be required to remain in quarantine or be placed in isolation for a total period of 42 days.
Persons who had contact with an MV Hondius passenger, or with a person infected or seriously at risk of Andes hantavirus infection linked to the ship, may be placed in quarantine or isolation if authorities determine they present a serious infection risk.
Quarantine or isolation measures imposed on contacts under Article 2 must not exceed 42 days.
French nationals or persons who entered France after travelling on flight 4Z132 from Saint Helena to Johannesburg on 25 April 2026 must report themselves to health authorities without delay.