A cruise ship remained quarantined at Praia Port as Cape Verde authorities worked to contain a virus outbreak, with residents divided over the country's health preparedness.

Praia resident Juliao Varela said the situation exposed gaps in the country's emergency response capabilities.

"Well, in a way, the government is trying to prevent the country from being harmed by the spread of the virus among the population. But this clearly shows that the country is not prepared for circumstances like this. It means that we did not learn from the coronavirus," Varela said.

But fellow resident Fatima Fontes supported the government's cautious approach.

"I think it was the right decision, a very appropriate one, given the seriousness of the situation," said Fontes, adding that authorities would likely send specialist doctors to assist passengers aboard the ship.

The World Health Organization said the risk to the wider public was low.

Still, authorities in the Atlantic Ocean archipelago nation said they were not allowing the Dutch-flagged ship to dock as a public health precaution.

In a statement, the Atlantic Ocean archipelago nation's National Directorate of Health said that all necessary safeguards were being put in place, including preparations for a possible medical evacuation by air ambulance for patients under observation.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PRAIA PORT, CAPE VERDE (MAY 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. VARIOUS OF CRUISE SHIP BERTHED AT PRAIA PORT

2. VARIOUS OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS AT PORT / CRUISE SHIP IN DISTANCE

3. VARIOUS OF OTHER SMALL BOATS IN HARBOUR

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese/Creole) PRAIA RESIDENT, JULIAO VARELA, SAYING:

''Well, in a way, the government is trying to prevent the country from being harmed by the spread of the virus among the population. But this clearly shows that the country is not prepared for circumstances like this. It means that we did not learn from the coronavirus.''

5. SMALL BOATS LYING ON BEACH / CRUISE SHIP IN BACKGROUND

6. MAN WALKING PAST CRUISE SHIP

7. SMALL BOATS LYING ON BEACH / CRUISE SHIP IN BACKGROUND

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese/Creole) PRAIA RESIDENT, FATIMA FONTES, SAYING:

''I think it was the right decision, a very appropriate one, given the seriousness of the situation. It’s good that the ship remains at a distance, and the authorities will certainly send specialist doctors to assist the passengers on board.''

9. VARIOUS OF CRUISE SHIP BERTHED AT PRAIA PORT