Passengers aboard a Covid-19 and gastro-riddled cruise ship wait to disembark as it docks in Adelaide.
The cruise ship ‘Grand Princess’ has been on an 18-day return voyage from Adelaide to Queensland.
It is unclear how many people are on board, but the ship has capacity for 2,600 passengers and 1,150 crew members.
The ship’s laundry facility was also closed after fears it had become a virus hotspot.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said those on board requiring urgent care would be transported safely to hospital facilities.
“It’s something we’ve been watching quite closely over the last 48 hours,” Mr Malinauskas told Nine’s Today show on Monday.
Passengers on board a cruise ship affected by Covid-19 have docked in Adelaide and some are being taken to hospital for treatment (pictured, Grand Princess cruise ship)
The laundromat on the Grand Princess was closed because it was feared to be an infectious hotspot (pictured is a sign on the laundromat door)
“The good news is that we have received reports from the cruise operators that the number of cases submitted has actually decreased dramatically in recent days.”
SA Health says it is up to the cruise ship operator to manage outbreaks on board, and at this stage it appears there are very few cases on board.
In a statement, SA Health confirmed the ship docked in Melbourne on Saturday to undergo a clean-up, and all passengers disembarked while that was carried out.
“As with all cruises, operators are responsible for establishing processes to manage outbreaks of communicable diseases,” the statement said.
Cruise line Princess Cruises has been contacted for comment.