Editorial: ‘No continent is immune, including Antarctica’, but National Antarctic Programmes acted collectively to avert disaster
The global reach of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened Antarctic activities, even though the continent is isolated and remote. Members of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) quickly recognized the extraordinary risk to Antarctic personnel in stations ill-equipped to deal with such dangerous medical conditions. Through an outstanding example of international collaboration and cooperation, COMNAP developed clear protocols for the 2020/2021 season that kept Antarctic staff safe from COVID-19.