A Holland America cruise ship that was turned away from several ports in Asia amid coronavirus fears will arrive in Juneau Alaska later this month. Juneau City Manager Rorie Watt has received confirmation on Monday, March 2, from Holland America Group, that ms Westerdam will depart the Philippines and arrive in Juneau on/around March 22.
Holland America cancelled the remainder of its Asian cruises in February, citing concern over cruise ports turning away ships due to the spread of the coronavirus. One passenger from ms Westerdam tested positive for COVID-19 but has since been cleared. All travellers have now left the liner, and the crew members have tested negative.
Juneau doesn't have any reported coronavirus cases. Watt said he was not concerned about the arrival of the ship because, by the time Westerdam arrives in Juneau, the crew members essentially would have been quarantined onboard, "with no entry or exit of other people for the better part of a month.”
Watt added the port city didn't test visitors for infectious disease. However, the crew would likely undergo additional testing when they arrive in Hawaii on the way to Juneau. The ship's crew will be allowed to disembark in Juneau once they arrive.
MS Westerdam will be moored at AJ Dock close to Alaska Marine Lines shipyard.
For Coronavirus updates on cruise ship quarantines (infected passengers and crew) and top-pandemic countries (COVID-19 cases and deaths, daily updated statistics) see at CruiseMapper's Norovirus page.