CORONAVIRUS | A blanket ban has been issued on all cruise ships coming into the country due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.

The Star reported that this immediate ban, which is a temporary measure, took effect following instructions from the Health Ministry and Transport Ministry.

The ban was made known after the Penang Port Commission issued a circular to ship owners, agents, vessel owners, port authorities and terminal operators.

The circular said all cruise vessels are temporarily restricted from entering any Malaysian port until further notice.

A similar notice was issued by the Port Klang Authority, which acknowledged that the cruise industry is important but this temporary measure was necessary.

“We are hopeful that this is a temporary measure and with concerted efforts of all parties, it will be resolved soonest possible, ” said PKA general manager K Subramaniam.

Malaysia joins a list of countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, which are banning cruise ships from entering their ports.

A number of cruise ships have been at the epicentre of coronavirus outbreaks, most notably the Diamond Princess, which was quarantined at the port of Yokohama and has seen hundreds of cases, resulting in seven deaths.

Twenty-one people tested positive for coronavirus on Friday aboard the Grand Princess, a cruise ship that was denied entry to San Francisco Bay.