- No proper international rules have not been established to handle infectious diseases on cruise ships, says Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
- The ministry came up with a plan to start a research program to help the international community set rules on responsibility and procedures to cope with future outbreaks.
- The ministry will likely draft new rules after asking outside experts to sort out current challenges.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry plans to launch a research and study project to help create international rules on how to handle infectious disease outbreaks onboard cruise ships, reports NHK.
Coronavirus aboard Diamond Princess
In February, coronavirus cluster infections were confirmed aboard the Diamond Princess, a cruise vessel registered in Britain and operated by a US company.
After the ship entered Yokohama Port near Tokyo, the Japanese government responded to prevent the spread of infections.
The government tested many people on the vessel, including foreign nationals, and offered treatments to those with confirmed infections.
New rules with expert advice
The Foreign Ministry says the response showed that proper international rules have not been established to handle infectious diseases on cruise ships. The ministry adds currently it isn’t clear which country should bear responsibility.
The ministry came up with a plan to start a research and study program to help the international community set rules on responsibility and procedures to cope with future outbreaks.
The ministry will likely draft new rules after asking outside experts to sort out current challenges. It plans to propose the draft to the international community.
The ministry included 40 million yen, or around 378,000 dollars, for the initiative in its budget request for the next fiscal year starting next April.
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Source: NHK
