A total of 1,000 individuals have been tested, according to the city of Rauma. The key contributing factor to the widespread infection seems to have been the joint living and transport arrangements for foreign workers employed at the yard.

The city authorities have announced that they have been working with the health agencies and the shipyard to establish a plan that would allow for a phased resumption of production from 25 February onwards.

In order to prevent the further spread of the virus among workers, the plan aims to set health and safety standards targeting eating, accommodation and transport arrangements.

How the production schedule will be affected by the shutdown is not clear. Finnish broadcaster YLE announced that the completion of the yard's Aurora Botnia ferry project could be delayed, according to Rauma Marine Construction CEO, Jyrki Heinimaa.

The new Wasaline car and passenger ferry, Aurora Botnia, was expected to be completed and delivered in May of this year.

Maritime Business World