A dozen crew members on the Artania cruise ship are awaiting coronavirus test results, with the vessel unlikely to depart Western Australia until at least next week.
The German liner remains docked in Fremantle with 464 crew on board despite being urged by the state government to leave.
Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram says 12 crew members have been tested for the deadly coronavirus after reporting flu-like symptoms.
They have been isolated on the ship, along with any other crew who have had contact with them.
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READ NOWA wider outbreak on the vessel could potentially lead to dozens, if not hundreds, of people requiring medical treatment in WA.
But the ABF will not force the ship to depart immediately if it means putting lives at risk, and will instead look to arrange emergency charter flights for about 357 non-essential crew who hail from the Philippines and Indonesia.
“I’d be really reluctant to force the issue and push it out to sea where I thought there’s risk to lives at sea in those circumstances,” Mr Outram told 6PR radio on Thursday.
“The crew can be appropriately quarantined on the vessel. We don’t need to bring them all off, there’s a lot of room on that vessel.
“The best-case scenario here is that we manage over the next few days, with the crew on board, to get the situation contained and get the vessel under way.”
Mr Outram said there were 12 to 15 crew members who were vital to the ship’s operations and they were being kept separate from the others.
About 850 German passengers flew home on Sunday on four charter flights.
A further 12 people were deemed not fit to travel by aircraft. They were transported to a Perth hotel on Wednesday, where they will undergo 14 days of quarantine.
Another 29 passengers and crew who tested positive to COVID-19 are being treated at Perth hospitals, with some in intensive care.
“The ship has asked us for permission to stay for 14 days,” Mr Outram said.
“My intention would be to get it under way as soon as possible when it’s safe ... I don’t think we’re talking about this weekend or tomorrow.
“The body language that I’m reading from the operators of this ship and the people on board isn’t one of resistance ... they’re actually asking for our help.
“There’s no digging their heels in or being recalcitrant.”
Mr Outram played down the prospect of the Artania attracting other cruise ships to Fremantle, noting there was a ban on any vessels entering Australian waters without permission.
New testing criteria came into effect in WA on Thursday, opening eligiblity to anyone presenting with a fever and acute respiratory symptoms.
The state had recorded 392 confirmed cases as of Wednesday, the vast majority linked to overseas travellers and cruise ship passengers.