Last Updated on February 28, 2020, 3:21 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Port Authorities in the Dominican Republic turned away a cruise ship on Thursday which was supposed to be on a tour of the Caribbean and Central America. The Authorities feared that some passengers might have the coronavirus.
Health Minister Rafael Sanchez Cardenas said that a medical team went to the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines ship and checked the people who showed the symptoms.
He did not specify whether or not; the medical team had detected cases of coronavirus.
Victor Gomez, director of the port authority, said on the local television that it is better to take precautions in order to avoid risks.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines termed that the decision was an overreaction on the part of the Government.
Further, Olsen said that they believe that this was as a result of a small number of influenza-like cases on board. Olsen, in a statement, said that the onboard medical team had advised that all eight passengers concerned were consequently feeling better.
Cruise ships have been a highlight amid the global spread of the coronavirus from its initial outbreak in China. It is noteworthy that four people who were travelling by the Carnival Corp’s Diamond Princess have died from the coronavirus. The cruise has several confirmed cases approaching almost 700 since it docked at a Japanese port on February 3.
Earlier this week, Jamaica and Grand Cayman had the denied passengers of an MSC Cruises ship entry owing to the fears that one of the crew member, who has since been diagnosed with common seasonal flu, might be infected with the virus.
Braemer had been scheduled to dock at La Romana, as part of a 14-day cruise across the Western Caribbean and Central America.
It departed from Barbados on February 13 and passed through several Caribbean islands before arriving in the Dominican Republic.
Fred Olsen said that Braemer had set sail for an alternative Caribbean port and staff were contacting with airlines to arrange travel for passengers who were supposed to land at La Romana.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
