Passengers from Ireland are among those on board a cruiseship which docked in Cambodia last week with confirmed cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
According to The Irish Times, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney speaking on Tuesday morning, confirmed the presence of the Irish nationals on the MS Westerdam. He also confirmed there were additional Irish passengers aboard the Diamond Princess off Tokyo.
“There is a second cruise ship off Cambodia, we’re working with Irish nationals on both of those ships to make sure they’re safe. And if they’re in quarantine [there] to make sure those conditions are safe,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently offering consular services to those affected and establishing whether anyone requires medical attention.
“We are talking with our European partners about how, or if, they will get home,” Mr Coveney added.
The total number of Irish passport-holders on board the two ships is not yet clear but is understood to be below ten.
The Westerdam was refused access to several international ports before being allowed to dock in Cambodia last week after which passengers were permitted to disembark. Mr Coveney said “some Irish” were among them.
More on this story here, including several Irish citizens as alluded on board Diamond Princess.
