Virus delays largest Arctic expedition in history

The multi-national team on the biggest Arctic research mission ever undertaken were prepared for problems from polar bear attacks to major snowstorms or even issues with building a runway on ice. But never did they imagine that a pandemic might sweep across the world, posing a threat to their mission. After a two-month delay, a new crew is finally on the way to Spitsbergen on two vessels, which will then meet up with the icebreaker Polarstern to allow the newcomers to disembark and the current team to come onboard.