In a startling turn of events, one of the pioneering cruise ships returning to Western Australia post-pandemic has encountered a Covid outbreak. The virus has been detected onboard, with 12 individuals testing positive for the illness.
Efforts are currently underway by health authorities to manage and contain the outbreak on the Coral Discoverer. The ship, which docked in Broome early Monday, saw the virus spread to ten passengers and two crew members.
This vessel, with 61 passengers and a 30-strong crew, was concluding a scenic 10-day journey that began in Darwin.
This incident follows hot on the heels of Australia’s decision to lift a two-year cruise ship ban just last week, on April 18. The move had rekindled optimism for a rapid revival of the nation’s $5 billion cruise industry, which had been severely impacted by the global pandemic.
According to a spokesman for the ship’s operator, Coral Expeditions, every passenger and crew member onboard the Coral Discoverer was triple-vaccinated, adhering to Western Australia’s stringent health regulations.
Coral Discoverer (pictured) is at the centre of a Covid outbreak after 12 people on board tested positive in Western Australia
The positive guests and their close contacts had isolated and some had been transported to designated hotels in Broome to finish their isolation periods.
‘All of the guests were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms,’ he said.
Small cruise ships carrying no more than 350 passengers and crew have been permitted to enter West Australian waters since April 17.
‘Maritime vessels are permitted to allow positive cases to disembark and move to suitable accommodation to complete their isolation requirements,’ a WA Health spokeswoman said on Monday.
‘There are strict guidelines in place which outline the infection prevention and control measures that need to be followed during disembarkation and transport.
‘All precautions will be taken to ensure the Broome community is protected.’
The federal government banned cruise ships from entering Australians waters in March 2020 after 2700 passengers on the Ruby Princess were allowed to freely disembark in Sydney Harbour, sparking 900 cases and 28 deaths across Australia.
The vessel had just arrived in Broome (pictured) after a 10-day voyage from Darwin
An inquiry found NSW Health had responsibility for the passengers and largely absolved border officials.
In 2019, the cruise ship industry supported about 18,000 jobs and generated about $5billion in direct and indirect revenue for the economy.
But it was brought to its knees the following year as Covid spread across the globe, stifling the travel industry.
Paving the way for the return of ships, NSW, Queensland, and Victoria have outlined testing and vaccination rules for both international passengers and crew.
Tasmania and SA are still reviewing their rules and ships are restricted to smaller domestic vessels carrying up to 99 passengers.
The outbreak comes as WA Health on Monday reported 5639 Covid cases and the death of a man in his 80s.
There are 240 cases in hospital, including nine in intensive care.