Two Ships In Quarantine

Two cruise ships have been placed in quarantine – one in Japan and one in Hong Kong — due to confirmed cases of and testing for the coronavirus.

Hong Kong authorities have put Genting Cruise Lines’ World Dream ship into quarantine so passengers and crew members can be tested for the coronavirus after three passengers on an earlier cruise were diagnosed with the virus.

In Japan, Princess Cruises reports that after the first phase of health screening of all guests and crew aboard the Diamond Princess was completed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, the cruise line was advised that among the samples that have completed testing, 10 people have tested positive for coronavirus.

Those testing positive included: two Australian guests; three Japanese guests; three guests from Hong Kong; and one guest from the U.S.; in addition to one Filipino crew member.

The passengers and the crew member have been notified and have been taken ashore by Japanese Coast Guard watercraft and transported to local hospitals for care by shoreside Japanese medical professionals. It has been confirmed that the ship will remain under quarantine in Yokohama. The length of the quarantine will be at least 14 days as required by the Ministry of Health.

The ship plans to go out to sea to perform normal marine operations including, but not limited to, the production of fresh water and ballast operations before proceeding alongside in Yokohama where food, provisions, and other supplies will be brought onboard.

Guests will continue to be provided complimentary internet and telephone to use in order to stay in contact with their family and loved ones, and the ship’s crew is working to keep all guests comfortable.

Princess Cruises will continue to fully cooperate with and follow the instructions of global medical authorities and the Japanese government.

The cruise line said it will also be cancelling the next two Diamond Princess cruises departing Yokohama (Feb 4 and Feb 12) and will begin notifying guests today.

Princess Cruises confirms there are 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew currently onboard covering a range of nationalities, including some 251 Canadians.