Thailand fifth country denying Westerdam to disembark amid coronavirus fear

Thailand fifth country denying Westerdam to disembark amid coronavirus fear
12/02/20 https://safety4sea.com/thailand-fifth-country-denying-westerdam-to-disem...

Holland America Line's Westerdam cruise ship has been repeatedly denied entrance in several ports after allegations that passengers have been infected by Coronavirus, which has resulted to the vessel for Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Typically, the vessel was scheduled to embark in Yokohama on February 15, but it has been cancelled.

The latest and fifth country to deny the vessel's entrance in its port is Thailand, where the cruise ship had scheduled to disembark its guests in Laem Chabang and transfer to Bangkok for their forward travel home. It had already been turned away by ports in Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and the US territory of Guam.

Also, Reuters reported that Thailand's public health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, directed officials to prevent the Westerdam's passengers from getting off in Laem Chabang, while Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Ratanasate noted that the country was prepared to help the ship with food, medicine, and fuel, Reuters said.

Following the vessels denial, the company issued a statement commenting

We know this is confusing for our guests and their families and we greatly appreciate their patience. We have no reason to believe there are any cases of coronavirus on board the ship despite media reports.

The vessel is now heading towards Sihanoukville, Cambodia, where the current cruise will end, adding that all approvals have been received.