The MV Hondius is expected to dock in Spain’s Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, by Saturday.
All in, 146 people from 23 countries remain on the MV Hondius as it sails to the Canary Islands, where they will be medically assessed before being able to travel home.
Spanish authorities agreed to the move, but the Canary Islands’ president has opposed the plan.
“I cannot allow [the boat] to enter the Canaries,” Fernando Clavijo told Spain’s Onda Cero radio.
“This decision is not based on any technical criteria and nor have we been given enough information.”
Once in Tenerife, if they are still healthy, all non-Spanish citizens will be repatriated to their countries, while 14 Spanish passengers will be quarantined in a military hospital in Madrid.
People in Tenerife told the BBC that they are concerned about the ship’s arrival and that residents “could end up with a problem on the island”.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea… but people do need help”, said one of the residents.