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Some 2,000 passengers from the Quantum of the Seas were trapped in their cabins after Wednesday morning, around 2.45 pm local time, the ship’s captain notified them of the incident through an audible notification system. An elderly passenger who has tested positive is in isolation and authorities are trying to identify his contacts.
At approximately 1:30 pm no substantive updates have been received from the teacher at local time. According to a Bloomberg reporter on board, large bottles of water were left behind the cabin door before breakfast, and about half of the first breakfast packages were presented. Passengers are encouraged to be patient and wait for instructions. Some of the ship’s guests, staying in staterooms with balconies, try to better connect to the Internet and breathe fresh air.
“Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas entered the Marina Bay Cruise Center Singapore this morning for the eighth morning after the 83-year-old passenger was assigned COVID-19,” the Singapore Tourism Board cruise said. director Annie Chang. “The passenger reported the onset of diarrhea to the ship’s medical center and underwent a mandatory polymerase chain reaction test according to the ship’s protocol.”
The same test was done on the passenger before he got on the ship, and then it came back negative.
The ship’s passengers have been informed that they will be allowed to disembark as soon as the contact tracing procedure has been completed, but it is unclear how long this procedure will take. Passengers will also need to take a rapid COVID test before disembarking. People can use free Wi-Fi and make free phone calls to change their travel plans or handle other urgent matters.
“We understand that you have appreciated other plans for this cruise, and we are very sorry,” said a statement sent to passengers on Wednesday. “Everything is done for you and to ensure that all of our guests stay healthy and feel good.”
Further updates are expected around 3pm local time.
According to ChannelNewsAsia, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said the incident on board “was not unexpected” and that the government was prepared for such a possible situation.
This message is another setback for Singapore, a small island state whose economy relies heavily on tourist dollars. The air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong, which was announced only in November and which would have replaced the quarantine with COVID tests, was abandoned due to an increase in the number of cases in Hong Kong.
The operators Royal Caribbean International and Genting Cruise Lines organize trips “nowhere” to and from the high seas. In this way, the city-state is trying to support its tourism sector and provide an opportunity for those who are having difficulty catching their skin due to a pandemic by restricting travel opportunities. The positive COVID test has greatly affected such incentives, especially as journalists have been invited to Quantum of the Seas to learn more about this new initiative.
Smoking kids
This initiative comes at a time when other countries are struggling to revitalize their tourism sectors in the COVID-19 era. Japan had to suspend an initiative that encouraged residents to travel within the country after rising infections in regions visited by tourists. In Europe, the resumption of vacation travel in the summer is believed to have triggered the current second wave of the virus.
Strict protocols have been announced for cruise operators and passengers, making it possible to organize test cruises in Singapore. These include measures such as crew and passenger testing, stricter compliance with sanitation regulations and fresh air circulation. Cruise ships were also required to not exceed 50 percent. passenger capacity.
Ultimately, it turned out that such measures were not enough to combat the virus, which has already infected more than 68 million people. people around the world and took almost 1.6 million. human lives.
In a passenger newsletter, Royal Caribbean announced that people could smoke in their bathrooms, although this is generally prohibited. Many families with young children sail this cruise, which is almost full to capacity.
“All guests affected by the incident will receive compensation, some credit for the days spent,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement to guests on the ship. – In addition, we will give you cruise credit for future sea voyages. We are committed to looking after your well-being and doing everything we can to make the remaining days on board as relaxing and enjoyable as possible for you. “
Those who have booked another cruise scheduled for Thursday can cancel it and receive a credit refund for the next trip.
With almost all international travel disrupted, Singapore is trying to find ways to boost its domestic economy. One-day hotel vacations are offered, as well as luxury accommodations at Changi Airport; In addition, the government has launched an internal tourism campaign to encourage residents to support local businesses. Checks worth 100 Singapore dollars sent to all Singaporean adults will be available for entertainment, hotel stays and excursions.
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