Written by Viren Anganan
PORT LOUIS (Reuters) – Mauritius has stopped a Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. ship from docking due to health risks and taken samples from about 15 passengers who were quarantined on board, the port authority said. It was announced on Sunday. .
The Norwegian Dawn was scheduled to enter Port Louis on Sunday, but arrived a day early because it had not been to Reunion Island, the Mauritius Ports Authority said.
“To avoid health risks, we have taken the decision not to allow cruise ships to enter the quay,” authorities said.
“The authorities’ top priority is the health and safety of the passengers, and the health and safety of the country as a whole,” it added, without elaborating on the nature of the health risks.
A spokesperson for US-based Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement that some passengers experienced mild stomach-related symptoms during the February 13 voyage to South Africa.
After entering Port Louis, the ship’s management worked with Mauritian authorities to ensure that precautionary measures were taken and all crew members were safe, the spokesperson said.
Port management said test results would be available within 48 hours.
Officials from the Mauritian Ministry of Health could not be reached for comment.
The ship has 2,184 passengers and 1,026 crew members on board. Of those, about 2,000 passengers were expected to disembark in Port Louis after their cruise, and another 2,279 new passengers were expected to board the ship, the port authority said.
“Passengers who were scheduled to board Norwegian Dawn today to begin their cruise from Mauritius will not be able to participate in the cruise due to potential health risks,” the statement said.
A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said those who disembarked or participated in the cruise will be disembarked on February 27th.
Tourism is one of the main drivers of Mauritius’ economy.
(Reporting by Villen Anganan; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
