Virus Update: Cruise Ship Line Bans All Chinese Citizens

Reuters reports:

Royal Caribbean Cruises issued a statement on Friday saying: “Any guest or crewmen traveling from, to, or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau less than 15 days prior to their sailing will be unable to board any of our ships.” But it did not stop there. It also said, “Any guests holding a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport, regardless of when they were there last, will not be allowed to board our ships.”

China has complained bitterly about bans and measures that go against WHO recommendations and accused governments and companies that take such actions of fear mongering. About two dozen sick passengers aboard a Royal Caribbean ship that arrived off New Jersey in the United States were screened for the coronavirus, with four sent to a local hospital out of “an abundance of caution,” the local mayor said.

The cruise ship currently quarantined with dozens of ill passengers is owned by the parent company of Royal Caribbean’s rival, Carnival Cruises.