[ullstein bild/Getty/Kyodo]
PHNOM PENH – A cruise ship carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members has been allowed to enter a Cambodian seaport after being denied access to at least five ports in Asia, including Yokohama, the operator said. It was announced on Wednesday.
A senior Cambodian government official told Kyodo News that the decision to dock the cruise ship Westerdam, operated by Holland America Line, at the port southwest of Sihanoukville was based on humanitarian grounds.
“We are scheduled to arrive at 7 a.m. local time on Thursday… and will remain in port for several days until disembarkation. Guests may disembark. All approvals have been received and “We are grateful for their support,” the company said in a status update on its website.
Since the cruise ship departed from Hong Kong on February 1, it had been rejected by Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Guam and Thailand because some of its passengers may have been infected with the new coronavirus.
“All passengers on board are in good health and, despite false reports, no one on board is infected or suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, nor has anyone ever been infected,” the company said in a statement.
When asked why Cambodia allowed ships to enter its ports, Prime Minister Hun Sen told local media outlet Fresh News: “If all the ports are closed, where will we go?”
He said this “demonstrates Cambodia’s outstanding humanitarian work and the world’s commitment to caring for people of other nationalities. If other countries do not accept, Cambodia will accept.”
Cambodian Ministry of Health Secretary Bandin said the ministry is well prepared with a strong quarantine team capable of dealing with any eventuality.
She added that if the disembarking passengers and crew have no health problems, “of course they must be allowed to enjoy their vacation in Cambodia.”
The cruise was originally scheduled to disembark in Yokohama, Japan, on February 15th.
Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, has been quarantined there since early February when a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was found to have the virus. Of the 203 confirmed cases in Japan, 174 are passengers and crew on ships operated by Princess Cruises.
According to Holland America, Westerdam guests will “disembark in Sihanoukville over the next few days and then take a chartered flight to Phnom Penh to return home.”
“Holland America Line will arrange and pay for all flights home, in addition to the previously communicated full cruise refund and 100% future cruise credit,” the company said.
Related coverage:
Japan refuses entry to foreigners on virus-infected cruise ship from Hong Kong