Coronavirus: Hundreds of Aussies still stuck as cruise ships denied entry
DFAT says it is monitoring 10 cruise ships with around 600 Australian passengers on board.
Hundreds of Australians remain stuck on cruise ships around the world. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is monitoring 10 cruise ships with about 600 Australian passengers on board.
Among them is Holland America Line’s MS Zandaam which has seen dozens of passengers get sick.
The company said after being denied entry to a succession of ports, the Zaandam was forced to rendezvous with its sister ship the Rotterdam, which took on nearly 1400 people who appeared healthy. It reports there are 116 Australians between both ships, plus 304 Americans and 228 British nationals.
A recent report was that four people have died on the Zaandam. On Tuesday, Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford said in a statement that as of March 30, 76 guests and 117 crew on Zaandam had influenza-like illnesses, including eight people who had tested positive for COVID-19.
He called for any port to show “compassion and grace” by allowing passengers to disembark. “The COVID-19 situation is one of the most urgent tests of our common humanity. To slam the door in the face of these people betrays our deepest human values.”
The company said the two ships, which are now seeking to dock in Florida, would remain together during the journey, and guests on both ships would remain in their rooms.
Florida’s Governor has said he is reluctant to allow disembarkation for the more than 1000 people aboard the Zaandam, but US President Donald Trump appears set to overrule him.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia was working to help secure permission for the ships to dock in the US and plans were under way to organise their flights home.
“We understand the Centres for Disease Control will monitor the signs of illness and they certainly will have a requirement about meeting certain levels of health status before people are allowed to travel,’’ she said.
A group of 127 Australians, mainly retirees, remain stuck on the Ocean Atlantic cruise ship off South America after Uruguay closed its ports.
On the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship, about 1700 passengers — including 270 Australians — have not been allowed to disembark at Hawaii. It is now heading for Miami.
About 350 Australians are trapped aboard the Norwegian Spirit off the coast of Madagascar. It is headed for Cape Town, but it faces the risk that South Africa will close its borders before it arrives.
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