+ A
A -
AFP
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia’s strongman premier defended on Tuesday his decision to allow a US cruise ship to dock despite at least one passenger later being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus, while authorities scrambled to track down hundreds that came in contact with her.
The Westerdam was turned away by several Asian ports before Cambodia agreed last week to allow its more than 2,000 passengers and crew to disembark.
But jubilation dimmed over the weekend when an 83-year-old American woman was stopped at a Malaysian airport and diagnosed with the virus that originated from China and has now killed over 1,800 people.
By the time she was diagnosed, scores of fellow passengers had moved through different countries -- including Singapore and Thailand.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen remained defiant on Tuesday.
“Some people say it brings the virus to Cambodia, but Cambodia has not had the disease (among its people),” he said in a speech.
Cruise operator Holland America said tests for 406 passengers now at a Phnom Penh hotel were negative, and they could continue their journeys home.
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia’s strongman premier defended on Tuesday his decision to allow a US cruise ship to dock despite at least one passenger later being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus, while authorities scrambled to track down hundreds that came in contact with her.
The Westerdam was turned away by several Asian ports before Cambodia agreed last week to allow its more than 2,000 passengers and crew to disembark.
But jubilation dimmed over the weekend when an 83-year-old American woman was stopped at a Malaysian airport and diagnosed with the virus that originated from China and has now killed over 1,800 people.
By the time she was diagnosed, scores of fellow passengers had moved through different countries -- including Singapore and Thailand.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen remained defiant on Tuesday.
“Some people say it brings the virus to Cambodia, but Cambodia has not had the disease (among its people),” he said in a speech.
Cruise operator Holland America said tests for 406 passengers now at a Phnom Penh hotel were negative, and they could continue their journeys home.
