Passengers and crew on the first major cruise liner to visit Western Australia since the start of the COVID pandemic have tested positive for the virus.
Health authorities and the ship’s operators, Carnival Australia, have not revealed how many cases are on board the Coral Princess, but say they are being managed according to recently established protocols.
That includes the small number of passengers with the virus being isolated for five days.
The ship left Broome on Tuesday heading for Geraldton, and was also due to dock at Fremantle, Busselton and Albany.
This follows a similar COVID outbreak on one of the first cruise ships allowed into WA in April, the Coral Discoverer, which had a capacity of 72 passengers.
Following the most recent outbreak, WA Health said it had been advised that some passengers and crew members had tested positive for COVID-19. but the Coral Princess’ operators were managing those cases on board.
“WA Health has not been asked for assistance in managing the cases,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Carnival Australia president Marguerite Fitzgerald said as a result of early detection and isolation measures, case numbers on board remained steady.
“These guests are being cared for in their staterooms by our medical and support staff,” she said in a statement.
“We are pleased to share that all cases on board have been mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic.”
Ms Fitzgerald said the majority of the ship’s 2000 passengers were unaffected and were allowed to move about freely on board and disembark at upcoming locations.
“This includes Geraldton, where any disembarking guests will be required to undertake a rapid antigen test prior to going ashore,” she said.
“This is standard procedure and one that is well understood by our guests to protect themselves, other guests, our crew and the community.”
WA Health said all cruise ship operators visiting WA must abide by the national protocols and have their own COVID-19 plans.
“In accordance with the protocols, while in WA waters cruise operators should report COVID-19 cases to WA Health 12 to 24 hours prior to arrival in a WA port,” it said.
“The protocols set out the minimum standards expected, which include the need for reporting to occur.
“Those on board vessels who have COVID should isolate for five days.”
The Shire of Broome said many of the Coral Princess passengers came ashore, spending Monday in town or involved in organised shore excursions.
It said they were expected to inject about $190,000 into the local economy.
But the arrival of the ship was met with mixed reactions from locals.
In social media posts, some welcomed the return of the cruise liners and the boost to the economy while others expressed concerned about the health risks.
Large cruise ships were banned from WA waters in 2020.
Those restrictions were lifted in April this year for ships with up to 350 passengers.
Larger ships were allowed to return from October 1.
Announcing the lifting of the ban in April, Premier Mark McGowan said the ability for the cruise shipping sector to safely resume operations in WA would provide a significant economic boost to the tourism sector.
“Our safe and staged approach to the return of cruise shipping means we provide an avenue for these businesses to operate safely once their cruising season starts, while managing the public health risk,” he said.
