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Coronavirus: Maltese doctors protest over MSC Opera cruise ship Coronavirus: Cruise ship turned away from Malta amid doctor threats
(about 3 hours later)
Doctors on Malta are threatening to take industrial action if a cruise ship is allowed to dock in spite of coronavirus concerns. A cruise ship has been turned away from Malta after doctors threatened industrial action if it docked amid coronavirus concerns.
The Swiss-owned MSC Opera, which is carrying 2,302 passengers and crew, is due to arrive on Friday. The MSC Opera's operator said it agreed not enter the country's port on Friday to "avoid unnecessary public unrest".
The government said the decision followed "public alarm raised by misleading information" and blamed an unnamed local media outlet.
Both the government and the operator said there were no cases on board.
"Despite the established facts, the Maltese government and MSC Cruises have decided to approve the re-routing of cruise liner MSC Opera so as to avoid further concern among the Maltese public," the government said.
The Swiss-owned vessel, which is carrying 2,302 passengers and crew, is now heading to the Italian city of Messina.
It said it would stop at the city on Sunday "as scheduled".
What's the background?
An Austrian passenger who left the ship at Genoa, Italy, on 28 February was later diagnosed with the virus.An Austrian passenger who left the ship at Genoa, Italy, on 28 February was later diagnosed with the virus.
But the ship's owner says the vessel was inspected by Greek health officials and given permission to sail on. MSC Cruises said the passenger tested positive for Covid-19 two days after returning to Austria via northern Italy.
The Greek authorities examined the vessel twice, in Piraeus (Athens) and then Corfu, from which it departed for Malta, according to a statement by MSC Cruises. After leaving Italy, the ship continued its cruise to Greece and arrived in the city of Piraeus on Wednesday - the same day that the owner was alerted by Austrian authorities about the passenger who had fallen ill.
Malta's health department is expected to release a statement on Friday about the issue, the Times of Malta reports. MSC Cruises said the vessel was inspected by Greek health officials in both Piraeus and Corfu and given permission to sail on.
Why are doctors so opposed to the ship's disembarkation? "There has been no guidance from Greek health authorities on any quarantine," a Greek health ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. "Infectious disease specialists have told us there is no such issue."
Martin Balzan, president of the Medical Association of Malta (MAM), told TV Malta that if an epidemic broke out on the ship, Malta did not have the resources to "test or provide shelter for the 2,302 persons on board". So why were doctors so opposed to the ship's disembarkation?
Martin Balzan, president of the Medical Association of Malta (MAM), had told TV Malta that if an epidemic broke out on the ship, Malta did not have the resources to "test or provide shelter for the 2,302 persons on board".
"The authorities should give absolute priority to the health aspect instead of the economy," he was quoted as saying."The authorities should give absolute priority to the health aspect instead of the economy," he was quoted as saying.
Speaking to the Times of Malta, Dr Balzan said it would be "highly irresponsible" to allow people off the ship.Speaking to the Times of Malta, Dr Balzan said it would be "highly irresponsible" to allow people off the ship.
"If the vessel is allowed in, MAM will call for industrial action aimed at protecting patients and protecting the Maltese population," he said."If the vessel is allowed in, MAM will call for industrial action aimed at protecting patients and protecting the Maltese population," he said.
Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, saw a dramatic outbreak while being held in quarantine in Japan last month. Six people died, with 621 infected.Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, saw a dramatic outbreak while being held in quarantine in Japan last month. Six people died, with 621 infected.
What checks were carried out on the ship?
After leaving Italy, the ship continued its cruise to Greece and arrived in Piraeus on Wednesday, the same day that the owner was alerted by Austrian authorities about the passenger who had fallen ill.
Passengers making excursions onshore were reportedly called back to the ship.
After reviewing the ship's full medical records, Greek officials decided "no additional health measures were required to be taken" and allowed the ship to proceed to Corfu, MSC Cruises says.
MSC Opera arrived on Thursday in Corfu where Greek officials again carried out an inspection and "deemed the vessel needed no further health measures beyond the ship's existing strict preventative health measures". Passengers were allowed to disembark.
"There has been no guidance from Greek health authorities on any quarantine," a Greek health ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. "Infectious disease specialists have told us there is no such issue."
What happened to the sick passenger?
According to MSC Cruises, the passenger tested positive for Covid-19 two days after returning to Austria via northern Italy.
The country currently has 37 confirmed cases of the virus.
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