Coronavirus: cruise ship departure put on hold

The cruise ship at the centre of a criminal investigation, the Ruby Princess, will remain at Port Kembla until at least Wednesday.

Military Police keep watch as the Ruby Princess docks at Port Kembla. Picture: Simon Bullard

The cruise ship at the centre of a criminal investigation, the Ruby Princess, will remain at Port Kembla, south of Sydney, until at least Wednesday after authorities warned a second outbreak of COVID-19 could flare on board.

The decision to delay departure comes despite NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller declaring a Sunday deadline for the vessel to leave Australia. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant was forced to defend the about-face on Sunday as pressure intensified on the state government over its handling of the saga.

“We want to make sure the disease outbreak is under control on the ship and there are no ongoing cases,” Dr Chant said. “We’ve been doing extensive testing on board the ship, both PCR testing (and) antibody testing, which gives us an idea of immunity.”

She said health officials were yet to deem the crew healthy enough to travel after 171 of 1056 crew still on board tested positive.