MS Westerdam cruise ship, feared to be carrying passengers infected with the new coronavirus, sails the seas for several days after being refused entry by a number of countries. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Phnom Penh (VNA)– World Health Organisation (WHO) chief TedrosAdhanom Ghebreyesus has thankedCambodia for allowing the Westerdam cruise ship to dock despite fears that the ship may be carryingpassengers infected with the new coronavirus.
The MSWesterdam, run by the US-based Holland America Line with 1,455 passengers and802 crew members onboard, had been forced to sail the seas for several days after being refused entry by anumber of countries.
In hisletter ahead of the ship’s arrival at the southern port of Sihanoukville, Ghebreyesus praised the Cambodian government for the gesture, saying this is an example ofinternational solidarity. He particularly extended his gratitude to CambodianPrime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
Cambodiawants to contribute to humanitarian affairs in times of emergency, Hun Sen toldFresh News a day earlier. The motives of the action are to eliminate fear anddiscrimination, the PM said.
USAmbassador to Cambodia W. PatrickMurphy tweeted later the same day that he greatly appreciated Cambodia’s assistance, as there are US citizens on the ship.
Preah Sihanouk provincial police chief Major GeneralChuon Narin said onFebruary 13 that a group had boarded the ship to conduct medical checksfor the 2,200 passengers and crew members.
He said 20of the passengers who aresuspected to be infected with the virus will have their blood samples tested at the Pasteur Institute./.
VNA
