More than 250 of 1700-plus passengers on board the Magnifica cruise ship have reported upper respiratory illnesses.
Camera IconMore than 250 of 1700-plus passengers on board the Magnifica cruise ship have reported upper respiratory illnesses. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cruise ship off WA denies sick on board

AAPWestern Suburbs Weekly

THE West Australian government maintains no one will be allowed to disembark the cruise ship Magnifica if it docks in Fremantle, as the operator insists reports that hundreds of its passengers are unwell are incorrect.

Premier Mark McGowan told reporters more than 250 of the 1700-plus passengers on board had upper respiratory illnesses but the vessel needed to refuel, which may happen in Fremantle “or elsewhere” as soon as Monday night.

Mr McGowan said he was speaking with the Commonwealth and defence force about a course of action but vowed: “The passengers and the crew will not be walking around the streets.

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“I will not allow what happened in Sydney to happen here,” he said.

He was referring to the 48 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among passengers on the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which docked in Sydney on Thursday, and five cases from the Ovation of the Seas, which docked a day earlier.

“My first priority has to be protecting Western Australians,” Mr McGowan said.

Magnifica’s operator MSC Cruises said the ship planned to make only a “technical call” into Fremantle en route to Dubai and no one on board would disembark.

“No passengers or crew on board suffer from any respiratory diseases or present any flu-like symptoms,” the company said in a statement.

“There is no evidence to suggest anyone on board may be infected with COVID-19.”

A spokeswoman for the premier said his information came from the relevant authorities.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook confirmed 20 new COVID-19 cases, all in Perth, including six from the Ruby Princess and one from the Ovation of the Seas.

Health Minister Roger Cook. Justin Benson-Cooper
Camera IconHealth Minister Roger Cook. Justin Benson-Cooper Credit: Supplied/The West Australian

The state’s coronavirus total is now 140.

Mr Cook said 12 of the cases were in hospital, two in a critical condition.

Mr McGowan also announced parents would have the choice to keep their children home from school.

“We will not enforce the law that requires you to (send them),” he said.

Those kept at home must stay there and not roam shopping malls, he said.

Mr McGowan said schools would remain open until the end of the current term and the state government would provide tools to allow students to continue to learn.

Education Minister Sue Ellery said it was “too early to call” any changes to ATAR exams, but processes were in place to ensure year 12 students would not be disadvantaged.

St Andrews Grammar became the first school in WA to temporarily close after a parent of two students tested positive for the coronavirus.

Principal Craig Monaghan said online learning was already set up and implemented on Monday.

“We have been planning for this eventuality for a number of weeks,” he said in a statement.

Medical professionals have repeatedly called for schools to be closed.

St Andrew’s Grammar School in Dianella. Photo: sag.wa.edu.au
Camera IconSt Andrew’s Grammar School in Dianella. Photo: sag.wa.edu.au Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The parent is self-isolating with their children, who have not displayed any COVID-19 symptoms.

The Independent Education Union WA branch is backing its national body’s call for all schools to close immediately, citing factors including insufficient cleaning and hygiene arrangements.

Mr McGowan also said too many people were disregarding social distancing directives, urging those doing the right thing to “call them out”.

Entry to WA will be restricted via road, rail, air and sea from 1.30pm local time on Tuesday, but there will be exemptions for workers performing critical duties.

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