- MSC Opera’s crew have told guests that a passenger who sailed on the ship last week and disembarked in Genoa, Italy, has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- MSC Opera’s captain has told the passengers aboard the packed vessel not to leave the ship.
- There are no cases of any infection on board, and all people on board will undergo health screening on arrival to Corfu.
More than 2,000 holidaymakers are trapped on a cruise ship and been told not to leave after a former passenger tested positive for coronavirus, writes Stepan Kotcherga for Maritime Bulletin.
Passengers quarantined
Passengers on board of cruise ship MSC Opera are asked not to leave the ship, which is due to visit Corfu Island, Greece, on Mar 5.
Austrian tourist, who travelled on board of MSC OPERA last week and departed in Italy on Feb 28, was tested positive for coronavirus on return to Austria.
All 2,000 passengers on Mar 4 have been told to remain on board of cruise ship after being urgently called back from excursions in Athens.
The ship arrived at Piraeus in the morning Mar 4, left port in the afternoon, and as of 1900 UTC Mar 4 was sailing in Aegean sea along eastern coast of Peloponnese Peninsula, ETA Corfu morning Mar 5.
A 14-day quarantine for all people on board was mentioned, hopefully authorities will find another option and avoid this awful mess.
No infections on-board
According to Greek officials and Health authorities, news published by British tabloids are not confirmed and at the very least, can be considered as exaggerated.
The ship left Piraeus with clean Health Certificate, there are no cases of any infection on board, and all people on board will undergo health screening on arrival to Corfu.
“Please note there is no reason for concern. We have no indication that suggests there may be an issue currently on board MSC Opera and there are no cases that suggest there may be a case of COVID-19,” assures the Captain in a letter.
As of 0700 UTC Mar 5, the ship was in Ionian sea steaming towards Corfu, ETA 0900 UTC Mar 5. With any luck, the story will end soon, without turning the ship into a floating concentration camp.
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Source: Maritime Bulletin
