Coronavirus NSW live updates: Carnival cruise boss slams police, government

The boss of Carnival Australia's boss has slammed the NSW police and the government for not allowing the embattled Ruby Princess to dock, accusing them of demonising the cruise industry. It comes as the NSW death toll rises to 10 after a death at Orange Base Hospital. LIVE COVERAGE

• Sign up for our special coronavirus daily newsletter
• Full Digital Access: FREE for the first 28 days

This coronavirus article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. For full access to the Daily Telegraph journalism, subscribe here.

LATEST

• Australia's coronavirus death toll sits at 21, with more than 4500 recorded cases.
• 11 Qantas baggage handlers have tested positive, as well as two of their family members
• Three people have been fined after strict new police powers came into affect.
• The ADF has assisted police in quarantine compliance checks

The President of Carnival Australia, the company that owns the Ruby Princess, has hit out at the government and NSW Police for not allowing the ship to disembark crew on board, declaring the cruise industry has been "demonised" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video statement released on Wednesday, Sture Myrmell said the way the cruise industry has been treated is "hurtful".

"Ships once integral to the visitor economy have suddenly been declared unwelcome," he said.

More than 300 people work in the company's Sydney office.

"These are loyal hardworking people. It has been bewildering for them to see governments, even the police, turn on their industry with little consideration of them or their future."

Almost 2700 passengers were allowed to disembark the Carnival ship Ruby Princess last month, scattering across the country. The ship has been linked to hundreds of coronavirus infections.

"The ship followed to the letter all of the formal health clearance processes that were active at that time," he said.

"All travellers arriving from an overseas port were treated in exactly the same way whether they arrived by air or sea."

At least eight crew have been evacuated from the Ruby Princess for medical reasons in recent days, but the government is refusing to let all unessential workers off the ship. Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has said that it's time for cruise ships off the coast, including the Ruby Princess, to go home.

"The welfare of our crew is paramount. It simply wasn’t safe for Ruby Princess to sail away from Australia and away from healthcare services that might become urgently needed," Mr Myrmell said.

Originally published as Coronavirus NSW live updates: Carnival cruise boss slams police, government

Updates