Cruise Ship Costa Fortuna To Return To Singapore On 10 Mar Amid Covid-19 Concerns
Ever since the major outbreak of Covid-19 on the Diamond Princess, cruise ships have been of great concern when it comes to transmission.
Cruises are definitely not optimal for preventing viruses from spreading, since passengers are always in close proximity to each other.
The outbreak of Covid-19 in Japan worsened severely soon after Diamond Princess passengers departed, so it makes sense that countries are wary of them now.
Most recently, the Costa Fortuna, an Italian cruise liner, was turned away by both Thailand and Malaysia for fear that passengers may carry the virus.
Luckily for the crew and passengers, Singapore will be welcoming the ship to our shores tomorrow (10 Mar).
Cruise ship departed Singapore on 3 Mar
Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that all of Costa Fortuna’s passengers – including 64 Italians – embarked on the cruise from its home port in Singapore on 3 Mar.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said that “based on prevailing policies for travel history and temperature screening”, all passengers had already passed the necessary health check before embarking.
Since the cruise ship had already been scheduled to dock in Singapore anyway, the plan will carry on.
CNA reports that all other unscheduled cruise ships cannot do the same at our terminals.
This has been in effect since 24 Feb.
None of the passengers display symptoms
MPA and STB confirmed in their press release that none of the passengers on board the Costa Fortuna display respiratory symptoms, or have a fever.
Prior to disembarking tomorrow (10 Mar), a doctor will check all passengers on board to give them the all-clear.
They will still have to undergo a temperature screening after that, as an extra safety precaution.
Anyone who displays symptoms will have to take a swab test for Covid-19. Refusal to take the test means an immediate ban from entry.
Rejection part of Covid-19 safety measure
Thailand and Malaysia both turned the ship away in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 in their countries.
CNA reports that the cruise operator – Costa Cociere – announced on Twitter that Thailand’s authorities enforced restrictions on “Italians that have transited in Italy in the last 14 days”.
Costa Fortuna off the coast of Phuket, Thailand
Source
Since there are 64 Italians on board the cruise, the ship couldn’t dock in Phuket, Thailand.
On the other hand, Malaysia has a complete ban on cruise ships, in line with their growing number of Covid-19 cases.
Subsequent cruise cancelled
The cruise operator, Costa Cociere, told CNA that it would be cancelling a cruise due to depart from Singapore on 10 Mar.
With the situation in Italy quickly becoming the worst outside of China with over 300 deaths, it’s reasonable that countries are cautious of visitors from there.
While there may be fears surrounding Singapore’s decision to allow the ship to dock here, we have faith that our robust healthcare system will keep everything in check.
Let’s hope that all the passengers on Costa Fortuna are healthy, and do not pose any risks to people around them.
Featured image adapted from Seatrade Cruise News.
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