Queensland (Australia) authorities are managing a COVID outbreak on a Princess Cruises ship as the state's 3rd wave neared 41,000 active cases.
The outbreak among the crew and some passengers on Coral Princess in Brisbane (QLD Australia) on Sunday, July 10, led to Princess offering refunds to those booked on the company's next 12-day voyage.
According to Yvette D'Ath (Queensland Health Minister), protocols were in place on the ship before the outbreak. She added some passengers were isolated at home/in other accommodations, while authorities were helping the company manage the infected crew.
D'Ath told reporters the virus was everywhere and there was no escaping that.
Princess said they were "doing everything possible" in order to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
"We are adhering to comprehensive protocols that were agreed in conjunction with federal and state authorities and we are confident that they are working effectively."
Protocols include regular testing of all crew members who must be fully vaccinated. Should any crew test positive, they go into isolation onboard and have no contact with guests.
"We recently advised embarking guests that in the most recent full screening of crew some had returned positive tests and that this was being managed effectively in line with our protocols.
"As guests look forward to their cruise holidays, we want them to be confident in knowing that everything possible is being done to ensure they do so in an environment that is as safe as it can be."
For more Coral Princess incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.