Positive Covid-19 test forces Cruise to Nowhere ship to return to Singapore
Passengers were told to stay in their rooms until after the ship docked in Singapore.
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A suspected Covid-19 case on board has forced Royal Caribbean cruise ship Quantum of the Seas to turn back for Singapore on day three of a four-day cruise to nowhere.
The ship had begun sailing again this month as part of a “safe cruising” pilot scheme that allows cruises with no ports of call
The ship’s captain made an announcement over the public address system at just before 3am on Wednesday, requesting guests to remain in their rooms and adding that the ship would arrive in Singapore by 8am, Channel NewsAsia reported.
“One guest aboard the Quantum of the Seas tested positive for coronavirus after checking in with our medical team,” Royal Caribbean International said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
It added that all guests and crew who had close contact with the case have been identified, isolated and subsequently tested negative for the virus.
The cruise line is now working with the Singapore government to “protect the health and safety of guests and crew”.
The Quantum of the Seas was carrying 2,000 passengers, half of its usual load, according to the Straits Times.
Pandemic safety measures on board include pre-boarding testing for passengers, mandatory mask wearing on board, and carrying the Trace Together mobile application at all times.
The liner has a hospital on board, complete with a PCR testing laboratory and intensive care units equipped with ventilators, where Covid-19 cases can be isolated and treated.
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