Covid 19 coronavirus: government decision to ban cruise Le Laperouse criticized

A man whose company has invested more than $ 1 million booking two cruises in Le Laperouse for clients that house 200 people has criticized the government’s decision not to let the ship in.

The luxury expedition cruise ship has been “floating” out of New Zealand waters and is being held at the border because most of the crew were denied visas.

According to tour operators, the Le Laperouse crew received prior approval from the Ministry of Health to enter New Zealand.

Le Laperouse is a 264 passenger ship operated by the Ponant cruise company.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said that if the ship reached New Zealand, 61 people would be quarantined on the ship until they were sent home or “detained.”

“We have put five months of hard work into this and everything was ready, and dealing with a government circus has been a joke,” said the man who did not want to be named.

More than 60 crew members had been denied visas because they were not considered essential for the ship’s journey here.

The staff included hairdressers, waiters, and masseurs.

“There is a lack of understanding that the personnel working on the ship have multiple roles, they may have to make the beds, but the same person can also be a singer and a bartender,” the man said.

“To say that the locals can do the job, well that’s absolute nonsense.”

Helen Wilkins of Queenstown is also upset with the news.

You have booked a two-week cruise departing from Auckland on February 8 for the subantarctic islands, landing at Lyttelton on February 22.

“Obviously, I am very concerned to hear on the news today that the ship is not allowed to enter New Zealand waters … all very puzzling,” said Wilkins.

Wild Earth Travel Director Aaron Russ chartered the boat from the operator Ponant. Seven expeditions around New Zealand were planned, the first of which was to begin in Auckland on February 8.

Travel plans for up to 700 kiwis have now been disrupted.

The ship has 92 passenger cabins.

The New Zealand Cruise Association says it is “shocked and just bewildered” to see that Immigration NZ had prevented the ship from arriving at the last minute, despite having the green light from the Ministry of Health.

The ministry had granted an exemption last December to allow the ship to operate domestically in New Zealand, with a maximum of 100 passengers.

“NZCA believes that the entire crew of the ship is essential to its operation and they cannot be replaced by New Zealanders in such a short time,” said NZCA CEO Kevin O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan said the ship had followed procedure and did everything the government requested to offer safe domestic cruises in New Zealand.

“To meet the Covid-19 requirements to isolate the crew, the ship has been sailing slowly from its last port, testing everyone on board regularly,” he said.

Le Laperouse was supposed to be in Auckland tomorrow for refueling, maintenance work and Covid-19 testing in New Zealand. His first trip would begin on February 8.

“This is a significant and devastating blow to the New Zealand tourism industry and to all those companies who were relying on this cruise to bring them a small ray of hope in the resurgence of regional cruise tourism,” said O’Sullivan.

“Of course, the 700 kiwi guests who had planned to enjoy a trip will also be very upset.”

The association said the decision tarnished New Zealand as a cruise-friendly destination, undoing years of hard work.

“It’s just not good enough,” O’Sullivan said.

Tour operators say the ship is currently less than 300 miles from Auckland, after sailing from Asia.

“All crew members have been in isolation for 27 days, have had four negative PCR tests and are fully trained in the company’s safe protocols for Covid, security and emergency operations.”