Pandemic forces Arctic expedition to take 3-week break

 Organizers of a year-long international Arctic science expedition say y have found a way to keep going despite difficulties caused by pandemic lockdown, but it will require a three-week break in mission.

Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Ocean Research said Friday that expedition ship RV Polarstern will leave its position in high Arctic, breaking through surrounding sea ice to rendezvous with two German vessels bringing fresh supplies and crew.

maneuver is necessary because travel restrictions imposed to prevent spre of new coronavirus make a planned resupply by plane and ship from rway impossible.

Expedition leer Markus Rex told Associated Press that lockdown could have scuttled remainder of mission.

“For a long time it was on a knife edge and re was even a possibility that expedition might have to be broken off,” he said.

140-million-euro ($158 million) expedition

Rex said expedition members will have to pause numerous scientific measurements during three-week supply run, but that this was preferable to abandoning mission entirely.

“In view of massive challenge caused by global pandemic we're very gl that we can do this," he said, ding that expedition should be able to continue until October as planned.

Seven team members were flown out Wednesday using two Twin Otter aircraft from Cana, but planes were too small to allow for larger crew rotation and resupply required, Rex ded.