Cruise operator bans Hong Kong passport-holders

Royal Caribbean is banning passengers who hold Hong Kong passports. Photo: AP

One of the world's leading cruise companies, Royal Caribbean, has announced that it's banning anyone who travels on a Hong Kong passport from boarding its ships, as well as people from Macau and the mainland.



The company said it made the decision "after consulting medical experts and public health authorities" to help it "provide a great vacation experience, while we protect our guests and crew".



The restriction, announced on Friday, will be in place throughout the month of February and will apply "regardless of residency".



Several other cruise operators have also cancelled stops in Hong Kong or the mainland, or said they would refuse boarding to passengers who've been to Hong Kong or the mainland.



Royal Caribbean also announced it would apply additional screening to any passenger who has had contact with individuals who've been to Hong Kong, Macau or the mainland in the previous 15 days, as well as anyone with flu symptoms.



Anyone found to have fever or "low blood oximetry" will be denied boarding.



Two cruise ships have been quarantined due to concerns about coronavirus infection, and both have links to Hong Kong.



In Yokohama, 64 people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess, which is in quarantine at Yokohama. The ship has been at the centre of concern after a passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong last month was discovered to have the virus.



Another ship, the World Dream, is in quarantine at the Kai Tak cruise terminal after eight mainland passengers who travelled last month were diagnosed with coronavirus.