A Genting Cruise ship. The Dream Cruises’ World Dream, has returned to Singapore after a single passenger was suspected of contracting Covid-19. Nearly 3,000 passengers and crew on board were confined to their cabins.
The 40-year-old passenger tested positive to a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test when on board and was transferred to hospital for further testing after the ship docked early on Wednesday July 14th, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.
“The passenger was identified as a close contact of a confirmed case on land, and was immediately isolated as part of onboard health protocols,” the STB said.
Singapore launched round trips on cruise lines in November, with a few days spent entirely at say and no other port being called at.
The World Dream had 1,646 passengers and 1,249 crew members on board. All were required to remain in their rooms, Dream Cruises said.
The guest suspected of having COVID-19 had tested negative in a mandatory, pre-departure antigen rapid test before the ship set sail for a three-night cruise on Sunday. The passenger’s three travelling companions tested negative and were isolated while further contact tracing was being done, the STB said.
Only essential service crew with personal protective equipment were being allowed limited movement within the ship, Dream Cruises said.
The cruises to nowhere are restricted to Singapore residents, and they have become popular during the pandemic, given the limited travel opportunities available to residents of the city-state.