COVID-19: Repatriation of Ruby Princess crew members begins
Almost 50 crew members will finally be able to disembark the Ruby Princess today, beginning their long trips back to their home countries.
Illawarra Star
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Almost 50 crew members from the virus-riddled Ruby Princess cruise ship will be bussed to Sydney hotels today before they are flown back to their home countries.
Officers from the Marine Area Command, assisted by Transport for NSW, NSW Health and the Australian Defence Force, will today disembark at least 49 crew members from six countries from the ship, which is docked just south of Wollongong at Port Kembla.
One of the 49 crew members has tested positive for COVID-19 while the remaining 48 have tested negative to the virus.
NSW Police have confirmed the COVID-19 positive patient will be taken to a NSW Health-managed hotel to undertake a strict 14-day quarantine period before they are given medical clearance to fly home, while the remaining 48 crew members will be taken to hotels while
arrangements are being made for flights to return them to their home countries.
A Ruby Princess crew member confirmed with the Illawarra Star there were notified of the plans late last night, and that more crew would be able to disembark in the coming days.
While police have confirmed the coming days will see further disembarkation, a significant number of crew members will remain on the Ruby Princess and return with the ship to its port of origin.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller praised the co-ordinated effort to keep those on and off the ship safe.
“Today’s operation is the culmination of a significant joint effort by a number of agencies, and that effort will continue until we have ensured the safety and movement of every crew member, in line with their wishes,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“The health of those on board and protecting the people of NSW always has been – and will continue to be – our number one priority.
“The movement of the first crew contingent today is an important milestone, and has us one step closer to the Ruby Princess leaving Australian waters.”
Of the some 1100 crew on-board the ship, 190 of them have tested positive for COVID-19. The ship docked in Port Kembla 15 days ago, and was initally supposed to leave on Sunday. That date was pushed back to this coming Thursday, with Commissioner Fuller today confirming the Marine Area Command, Transport for NSW, NSW Health and the Australian Defence Force were still on track for the ship’s departure later this week.