Virus delays Arctic mission

Berlin, May 10

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Due to the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, dozens of scientists are waiting in quarantine for the ‘all-clear’ to join the Arctic research mission.

As per reports, the international mission was called off as countries went into lockdown and shattered the plans to bring fresh supplies and crew to the German research vessel Polarstern. The mission was aimed at improving the models used for forecasting climate change, but the plan was affected just as the expedition reached a crucial phase.

Mathew Shupe, who is an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado and co-leader of the MOSAiC expedition, said that the news of the pandemic caused jitters among those already on board. Several people just wanted to be home with their families. He said almost 90 scientists was kept in isolation. —AP