Thousands held on Hong Kong cruise ship for Covid testing

Nine of the ship’s passengers had been shut contacts of an contaminated affected person linked to a current Omicron cluster. As a consequence, all of the passengers have been held on the ship, pending testing for Covid-19. The cruise ship docked at Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong Wednesday, January 5. (Credit: AP)Thousands of passengers had been being held on Wednesday, January 5, on a cruise ship in Hong Kong for coronavirus testing after well being authorities mentioned 9 passengers had been linked to a current omicron cluster and ordered the ship to show again.

Authorities pressured the Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas ship, which started crusing on Sunday on a “cruise to nowhere,” to return a day early on Wednesday, in response to a authorities assertion.The ship was ordered to return after 9 passengers had been recognized as shut contacts of an contaminated affected person who was linked to a brand new omicron cluster.The ship returned to Hong Kong on Wednesday morning and passengers had been being held onboard whereas they awaited testing.Royal Caribbean mentioned in a press release that the 9 company had been instantly remoted and had all examined detrimental, and that the corporate was working carefully with authorities to adjust to epidemic prevention insurance policies and laws.Over the previous week, Hong Kong authorities have locked down a number of residential buildings linked to rising omicron clusters as they search to stop the unfold of the coronavirus variant within the metropolis.The clusters emerged after a number of Cathay Pacific crew members broke isolation guidelines and dined at eating places and bars within the metropolis, earlier than testing constructive for the omicron variant.Royal Caribbean mentioned company who had been onboard the affected ship would obtain a 25% refund on their cruise fare. The ship’s Thursday crusing was additionally cancelled because the crew needed to bear necessary assessments, and people company will obtain a full refund.Also Read: Covid case counts could also be dropping significance amid OmicronAlso Read: Omicron accounts for 95% of latest US circumstances: US CDCClick right here for IndiaToday.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.