Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Two North Carolina ferry route schedules have been adjusted this week because employees have tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus.

At Hatteras, four employees have tested positive for the virus and three are under quarantine due to exposure, while the Currituck-Knotts Island route has one employee under quarantine, state Division of Transportation officials said Dec. 28, 2021.

“This latest wave of the pandemic has affected travel services nationwide, and unfortunately, we’re no exception,” said Ferry Division director Harold Thomas in a statement. “We apologize for any inconvenience to our passengers, but health and safety have to come first.”

The Hatteras-Ocracoke route will be running the following schedule through Jan. 3:

From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight.

From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

The Currituck-Knotts Island route was closed Dec. 28 but will reopen as soon as a full crew can staff the route, according to the NCDOT statement.

Ferry passengers are encouraged to remain in their vehicles during shorter crossings and are reminded that they must wear face coverings when inside all passenger lounges and terminals.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.