Twelve police officers on duty at G7 in Cornwall are forced to self isolate after one tested positive for Covid on board ferry where 1,000 officers are staying during the summit

• Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed an officer tested positive for Covid today 
• Twelve will now self-isolate after coming into contact with the police officer 
• Officers were staying on board the MS Silja Europa while working at G7 summit

A dozen police officers on duty at the G7 summit have been forced to self-isolate after one tested positive for Covid on board a ferry where 1,000 are staying.

Devon and Cornwall Police today confirmed that one officer who is supporting G7 policing and staying on the MS Silja Europa has tested positive for the virus.

World leaders have gathered in Cornwall for the summit, which will see representatives from Canada, France, Germany, the US, Italy and Japan meet alongside Ursula von der Leyen, representing the EU.

They will discuss global recovery following the Covid pandemic, climate change, and worldwide trade between today and Sunday.  

Devon and Cornwall Police today confirmed that one officer who is supporting G7 policing and staying on the MS Silja Europa (above in Falmouth) has tested positive for the virus

In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘The officer, plus those who have come into close contact, are currently self isolating at another designated location.

‘All who have come into close contact or are in the bubble of those who tested positive are also currently self isolating which equates to 12 officers in total. 

‘The next stage is for those who have tested positive to undertake a PCR test.

‘We are continuing to follow the advice of Public Health England.’

The ferry, moored in Falmouth close to the summit in the Cornish resort of Carbis Bay, is housing some 1,000 officers who have been recruited to provide security.

The ferry, moored in Falmouth close to the summit in the Cornish resort of Carbis Bay, is housing some 1,000 officers who have been recruited to provide security

World leaders have gathered in Cornwall for the summit this weekend, which will see representatives from Canada, France, Germany, the US, Italy and Japan meet alongside Ursula von der Leyen representing the EU

The luxury cruise ship, the MS Silja Europa, typically ferries tourists along the Baltic coast but has been hired by Devon and Cornwall Police for ten days.

Rooms on board the liner, which moves between Helsinki in Finland to Tallinn in Estonia, can cost as much as £1,200-per-night for an executive suite.

Some 5,000 additional police have been brought in to Cornwall to boost its existing force of 1,500 officers between June 11 and 13.

A spokesman said previously: ‘We will be deploying over 6,500 officers and staff to this event and we are supporting a vast range of local businesses and suppliers as part of our extensive logistical arrangements.

‘This includes using over 4,000 rooms at almost 200 venues across Devon and Cornwall which will support local communities and accommodate police officers and staff deployed from across the UK.

They will discuss global recovery following the Covid pandemic, climate change, and worldwide trade between today and Sunday. Pictured: Boris Johnson today

US President Joe Biden (middle) gestures during the family photo during the G7 summit

‘In order to secure further essential capacity, we reviewed a number of options and recently agreed to hire the MS Silja Europa, operated by Tallink; taking into account impacts to the environment, community, the operational needs, and those of our officers and staff.’

‘We are working closely with the vessel owners, ports authorities and health partners to ensure the safe use of this accommodation.

‘Those staying onboard will strictly follow all the applicable COVID safety guidelines, enhanced by daily testing – consistent with staff staying at all other accommodation sites across the force area.’

The G7 group is made up of the world’s seven largest advanced economies – the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.

Cruise line Tallink describe the Silja Europa as the ‘biggest and most beautiful cruise ship on the Baltic’.

The ship has had a colourful history with one website reporting in 2019 two passengers, a male and a female, were found dead onboard.

And in 1995 it ran aground near the coast of Finland.

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