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Elated passengers leave Cambodia cruise ship after virus all-clear
SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, Feb 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Dozens of passengers
stuck for nearly a week on a US cruise ship in Cambodia disembarked
Wednesday, after being given the all-clear from a deadly coronavirus.
The Westerdam made shore in Sihanoukville on February 13 after being
rejected by five countries over fears its passengers could be carrying the
new virus, which has killed more than 2,000 people.
Hundreds were allowed off after basic health checks — among them an 83-
year-old American woman who was later diagnosed with the virus while in
transit in Malaysia.
That raised fears many other Westerdam passengers could be spreading the
virus as they scattered, although no other cases have been recorded.
Once the American woman’s case was discovered, the remaining passengers on
the Westerdam were ordered to stay on board, but they have now all been given
a clean bill of health.
Swabs from the more than 700 crew members aboard were still being
collected, a Sihanoukville provincial spokesman told AFP.
Cambodia’s wily premier Hun Sen squeezed PR value from the arrival of the
US-owned ship, greeting the first passengers to leave the ship with hugs and
flowers.
“Thank you very much Mr. Prime Minister,” a jubilant passenger — one among
230 who disembarked on Wednesday — told local TV as she left the ship.
“I didn’t know him before so I am just grateful that he let us in.”
The head of cruise operator Holland America said he was thankful for the
help Cambodia provided.
“It’s been a whirlwind, and I want to take a moment to say how sincerely
appreciative of each and every one of you we are,” Orlando Ashford told a
crowd of passengers and crew, later walking off to the Sister Sledge song “We
are Family”.
In Phnom Penh, former passengers staying at a luxury hotel since Saturday
rejoiced after Cambodia’s health ministry said more than 700 people tested
over the past two days have been cleared.
“All passengers have normal health with no noticeable problems and no-one
had high temperatures,” the ministry said in a statement.
American Christina Kerby said it was “great news”, but she was worried
about the stigma dogging Westerdam passengers — especially once they return
home.
“I want people to remember that… there’s a human behind each of these
stories, and those who are ill deserve compassion,” she told AFP.
The news comes as Southeast Asian foreign ministers prepared for a summit
in Laos on Thursday with their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the COVID-19
outbreak.
Cambodia, like many of its regional neighbours, is a staunch ally of
Beijing. It receives billions of dollars in soft loans, infrastructure, and
investment from China.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1324 hrs