February 16, 2020, 08:08 AM
A cruise ship, MS Westerdam, was stranded for almost two weeks before finally being allowed to dock at Cambodia on Feb. 13.
It was declined entry in Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Guam and the Philippines.
There were 1,455 passengers and 802 crew aboard the ship and were welcomed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday.
Hundreds of cruise ship MS Westerdam’s passengers long stranded at sea by virus fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday and were welcomed to Cambodia by the nation’s Prime Minister who handed them flowers. pic.twitter.com/8ne1KLpT0N
— Sopheng Cheang (@SophengCheang) February 14, 2020
The Cambodian health ministry said that no one on board was found with the coronavirus (Covid-19).
The passengers were also allowed to take charter flights to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital.
From there, they would fly back to their home countries.
American aboard MS Westerdam found infected in Malaysia
An American female passenger of MS Westerdam who arrived at Malaysia on Feb. 15 was confirmed to be infected with Covid-19, according to CNA.
The Malaysian health ministry confirmed that the 83-year-old was one of the passengers aboard the said cruise ship an she's in a stable condition.
The woman and her husband were both symptomatic upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and were referred for further checks.
Her husband was however tested negative.
Including the two of them, a total of 145 passengers flew to Malaysia from Cambodia on Feb. 14.
Canberra Times, an Australian newspaper, reported on Feb. 16 that the passengers were regularly tested on board the ship and 20 were tested in Cambodia when the ship was docked.
All 20 passengers tested negative for Covid-19.
Top photo from Sopheng Cheang's Twitter screengrab
If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram to get the latest updates.