Cautious sails: Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures and impact on the cruise industry

Cautious sails: Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures and impact on the cruise industry
Vasanthi Vara 16 February 2020 https://www.ship-technology.com/features/coronavirus-outbreak-2019-ncov-...

Large number of people in confined spaces on cruise ships make onboard tourists prone to infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. In 2019 alone, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported ten outbreaks on cruise ships.

Large number of people in confined spaces on cruise ships make onboard tourists prone to infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. In 2019 alone, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported ten outbreaks on cruise ships.

In 2020, the coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, is the latest threat to the cruise industry where bookings are done much in advance. Five cruise ships including Diamond Princess, World Dream, Anthem of Seas, Westerdam and Costa Smeralda have been quarantined after news of possible infections emerged.

Cruise operators have started to either cancel or change their itineraries as countries across the world implement travel restrictions to curb the disease spread. Ports are refusing to accept cruise ships that have been to Chinese ports or carrying Chinese passengers during the outbreak.
Cruise ships with confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus infection

Novel coronavirus cases have been either confirmed or suspected on four cruise ships so far, as listed below.
Coronavirus-affected on Diamond Princess cruise ship

Diamond Princess, operated by Princess Cruises (a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation), has been quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, since 03 February after a passenger from Hong Kong tested positive for the coronavirus on 25 January after disembarking in Hong Kong. The ship has 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew on-board.

The Japan Ministry of Health is currently conducting a full review of the health screening records of all passengers on-board. As of 16 February, 355 confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported on the ship, of tourists from multiple countries. The infected passengers have been transferred to various local hospitals.

The Indian Embassy is working to disembark a total of 138 Indians who are on board the ship. The US Embassy also announced its plans to evacuate all US citizens from the ship. An aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Japan on 16 February to evacuate all the US citizens.

The ship will remain under quarantine until February 19. The Japanese health minister has announced that those passengers who have tested negative for the virus and those with medical conditions that require attention will be allowed to disembark the ship. Passengers over the age of 80 years will also be allowed to disembark.

Princess Cruises announced the cancellation of the next voyage of Diamond Princess, following the developments.