The company announced the change yesterday after three people working on board its Commodore Goodwill vessel tested positive for the virus, with a further crew member suspected of having the infection.
As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the UK, both the Clipper and the Goodwill vessels will become unaccompanied freight-only vessels.
Any passengers who were booked to travel on the Clipper will now be moved onto services operated by the Liberation or Rapide fast ferries instead. Neither of these vessels had been scheduled to return to service until April as passenger numbers remained low.
Condor chief executive Paul Luxon said: ‘We take our obligations very seriously so, in line with our new policy that passengers now require evidence of a negative [coronavirus test] result within 72 hours of departure, we have heightened our safety protocols. These changes have been endorsed by public-health authorities and we can provide reassurance that the lifeline service into the islands will be maintained.’
Condor says all affected passengers will be notified of any changes to their booking.
