MSC Cruises has been donating thousands of surgical masks across Europe in its bid to provide aid in the fight against coronavirus (Covid-19).

The latest donation of 5,000 surgical masks was made in the UK to Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals on Thursday (11 June) and was delivered by the cruise line’s UK and Ireland managing director, Antonio Paradiso.

The cruise line has been working with partners across the world to provide aid and support to fight coronavirus and has also sent surgical and respiratory masks to Portugal, Brazil and Switzerland, along with perishable goods to China, France and Italy. 

Paradiso commented: “Yesterday on behalf of MSC Cruises I had the pleasure of delivering 5000 surgical masks to Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals.

“Our NHS Heroes across the UK have done an extraordinary job throughout this pandemic and on behalf of everyone at MSC Cruises we want to say thank you for everything you have done.

“We are incredibly grateful to be able to help in even the smallest of ways and hope that this gesture will allow them to safely continue with their amazing, life-saving work.”

MSC Cruises has extended the temporary fleet-wide halt of its cruise operation through to 31 July 2020.

All affected UK and Irish guests are being offered a future cruise credit for 125 per cent of their cruise value which can be used on any ship, for any itinerary, through to the end of 2021.

Visit msccruises.co.uk for more information.