Covid freezes US travel to Antarctica

The United States has paused travel to Antarctica as its research station deals with a surge in Covid-19 cases. More than 70 people, or about 10% of the work force, have Covid-19 at McMurdo Station. On The US National Science Foundation has implemented a pause on all travel for the next two weeks while it reassessed the situation. Its expert epidemiologist has recommended KN-95 masks be worn at all times. McMurdo Station neighbours New Zealand’s Scott Base and staff visit each other. Antarctica NZ confirmed Scott Base is Covid-19 free, and staff were only able to visit the station for work purposes and provided ‘‘all those in the meeting wear masks and maintain physical distancing’’. There is currently no impact on travel to Antarctica for the New Zealand programme.