Coronavirus: Malaysia imposes blanket ban on cruise ships after Costa Fortuna turned away

Malaysia has issued a prohibition on all cruise ships disembarking at local ports due to rising coronavirus disease cases, according to local media reports.

The Star reported that the ban was ordered by the Health and Transport ministries, and effective immediately. The English news daily cited a Penang Port Commission circular that was issued to shipowners, agents, vessel owners, port authorities and terminal operators telling them that all cruise ships are indefinitely barred from docking at Malaysian ports. The Port Klang Authority (PKA) also issued a similar statement.

PKA general manager Capt K. Subramaniam said the temporary measure was necessary to ensure the right resources were kept at key public health services facilities to handle emergencies and other preventive measures.

“We are hopeful that this is a temporary measure and with concerted efforts of all parties, it will be resolved soonest possible,” he said.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told The Star he was aware of the directive from the Transport Ministry.

“Although it could affect the tourism industry, it’s too big a risk,” he said.

Malaysia on Sunday confirmed six more cases of coronavirus, taking the country’s total number of infections to 99.

In recent days, both Malaysia and Thailand barred the Costa Fortuna cruise ship – carrying about 2,000 people, including dozens of Italians – from docking.

The Costa Fortuna was first turned away from the popular Thai holiday island of Phuket on Friday, despite there being no suspected virus cases aboard, according to its operator.

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Thai authorities had imposed restrictions “on Italians that have transited in Italy in the last 14 days”, Costa Cruises said on Twitter.

The ship was carrying 64 Italians, according to Malaysian officials.

Italy has been hard hit by the virus with more than 230 fatalities, the most deaths from the disease of any country outside China, where the outbreak began in December.

On Saturday the vessel tried to dock in the northern Malaysian state of Penang but was also refused entry, local politician Phee Boon Poh said.

After being denied entry by Malaysia, the ship was heading to neighbouring Singapore, Phee said.

The case has similarities with that of the Westerdam, a cruise ship that was at sea for two weeks and was rejected by five countries over fears its passengers could have the virus. Cambodia finally allowed it to dock on the country’s southern coast on February 13.

Read the original article at Today Online.