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BC wrote: MSC are saying no-one is sick and it's calling in for fuel only with no passengers disembarking and then heading off to Dubai. I'm not sure who to believe.

My head is spinning on this one. The vessel is due to dock in the wee hours of the morning. Was only 1 or 2 days ago the vessel made a plea to FP to be able to dock. Next thing are media reports of unwell passengers on board with respiratory problems. Then late today, the cruise company say there are no medical issues on board. Either the cruise company HQ or the media have their wires crossed somewhere. Either that or the affected passengers are just seasick which is possible given the very strong winds we've experienced lately.

It’s turning back towards Fremantle. Pretty sure under maritime law if there are sick people on board we are obligated to assist in any way possible. That might mean testing, isolating and treating ill patients. That would place an extra strain on our hospitals.

Just listened to Sneakers McGowan's latest state up date and he advised that all cruise ships intending to come to freo are banned from the port and must anchor offshore (Gage Roads). 2 ships have no Australians on board and will be re-fueled only and only critically ill passengers will receive treatment, currently health workers on board doing checks. The Magnifica turned back when Dubai banded them entry and will be stuck in gage Roads until they make other arrangements. One ship has 200+ Australians and 20 kiwis amongst its passengers. The Aussies will be taken off in strict isolation transport and taken to Rottnest for the 14 day isolation. Great idea using Rottnest. The kiwis will stay on board until the NZ govt sends a plane to collect them, they will also be under strict isolation transport until they board the plane home, the rest stay on board. Never been a Labor voter but i think Sneakers & his cabinet are now doing a good job. I especially liked it when he gave, on more than one occasion, the NSW situation and Govt a real roast, he was fuming that infected passengers from that absolute clusterfuck have made their way back to WA.

Vessels requesting access to port for whichever reason do not automatically have a right of entry if it's a foreign registered vessel is my understanding. Apparently the exception to the rule is for a vessel in distress.
Having said that, the nearest port is obliged to allow entry or assist. With the Magnifica, the Captain learnt just after departing Fremantle that Dubai had refused them access. Good they found out now and not when they were due to arrive I guess. Perhaps Dubai itself is in lockdown and maybe the harbour is closed?

Apparently the Vasco da Gama is due on friday morning. Apparently from Singapore.
Not suggesting there are problems on board, but apparently passengers will be off-loaded and immediatly shuffled off to Rottnest Island for the 14 day period as a precaution.

Jesus christ almighty - sell that dead carnt NSW to the USA and get their airforce to blow the fucking thing out of the water in return , we cannot have this deathtrap anywhere near us now , the vaccine won't be anywhere near ready by the time we all get this shit and we will certainly get it if it allowed anywhere near Gage

If a ship is in port, someone sneezes with the Freo doctor gale blowing, is it possible for their spit to carry to shore? Or is this just a silly scenario?

Wouldn't say silly but highly unlikely I would have thought

westaussieguy wrote: Wouldn't say silly but highly unlikely I would have thought

Ok, fair enough.

From the various health departments it has been confirmed that this thing stays on metal and most hard surfaces for 48 hours and it is highly contagious in airborne form within 1.5 metres spans
100 degree or more boiling water kills pretty much all bacterias