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Dutch submarine crew hit by COVID-19

HNLMS Dolfijn
Dutch defense ministry photo

The crew of Dutch submarine HNLMS Dolfijn will not be taking part in planned exercises after at least eight of the boat’s 58 crew tested positive for COVID-19.

This was announced by the Dutch defense ministry on March 30, after 15 submariners had been tested a day before.

According to the defense ministry, the Walrus-class submarine will now be forced to break off their stay in Scottish waters and will not take part in the UK-led multinational exercise Joint Warrior.

HNLMS Dolfijn is currently en route to the Netherlands where the sailors are set to undergo further tests. The boat will be at its homeport two weeks ahead of schedule.

The Netherlands has previously withdrawn service members from Lithuania and Afghanistan due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.