A dozen forced to isolate after contracting COVID-19 on WA cruise

Ten travellers and two crew members were confined to their cabins this week, after testing positive to COVID-19 whilst on an Australian cruise.

Nine remain in isolation as the Coral Discoverer, which departed from Darwin, docked in Western Australia this morning.

Upon docking in Broome, they were quickly transferred to hotel quarantine to complete their isolation.

“Cruise ships remain places where COVID can spread easily and where super-spreader events can occur,” he said.

Passengers visiting WA are required to be triple vaccinated, test negative to COVID-19 prior to boarding and wear masks indoors while on the ship.

The Coral Discoverer’s director said all trips will have a doctor and nurse onboard.

Cr Harold Tracey from the shire of Broome said the reintroduction of tourists to the area was a welcome change.

“It’s extremely important to tourism in Broome, prior to COVID we were getting 18-21 vessels, like big cruise ships, a year,” he said.

“If you do the sums of the vessels, I’m sure it’s a lot of money and we appreciate them visiting us.”

It’s believed the Caledonian Sky, due to dock in Broome on Wednesday, is also carrying positive COVID-19 cases.

Doctors warn those choosing the popular travel option must be prepared for the risks.

“People are extremely close together for long periods of time and that ventilation can be poor,” Dr Moy said.

Western Australia today recorded 5600 new cases of COVID-19.