Steamship Authority Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA — The Steamship Authority said it brought in a cleaning company to do a deep sanitizing of vessels and terminals after a Nantucket-based employee tested positive for the coronavirus Friday night.

The Steamship Authority said in a statement Tuesday night that the employee travels from the mainland to Nantuncket each day, and that it is looking to contact anyone who may have been in close proximity with the employee either at the Hyannis or Nantucket terminals to determine if they need to be tested or quarantined.

General Manager Robert B. Davis said the employee followed the company's protocols and immediately informed a supervisor about the positive test "so that appropriate action could be taken." He said employees have been told that they should not come to work while sick both for their safety and the safety of the traveling public.

"Our thoughts and best wishes are with our employee for a speedy and complete recovery," Davis said.

Cloth face coverings are required on the vessels and employees are instructed to wash their hands frequently.

The Steamship Authority said the employee, who tested positive on Friday, last worked at the Nantucket terminal on May 11. Those who work at the Nantucket terminal are encouraged to take part in a drive-thru coronavirus test at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

The Steamship Authority said the M/V Gay Head and M/V Eagle were to be thoroughly cleaned while docked on Tuesday night. Moran Environmental Recovery was brought in to do extra sanitizing beyond the cleaning of railings, door handles, seats, faucets, bathrooms and table tops that are part of the coronavirus cleaning process for employees in between each trip.