Australia launches investigation into Ruby Princess after hundreds get the coronavirus
Australian police have launched a criminal probe into the handling of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, the source of more than 30 percent of the country’s COVID-19 deaths.
The ship left Sydney on March 8, the same day the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State Department warned all Americans to avoid cruise travel, and returned to Sydney on March 19. Around 2,700 passengers were allowed to disembark without medical screening, despite some showing symptoms of COVID-19. Since then, hundreds have tested positive and 11 have died, according to The Guardian.
New South Wales police announced Sunday that the agency’s homicide squad will be leading the investigation into whether the ship’s arrival in Sydney on March 19 violated the country’s laws.
Investigators will probe the relevant government agencies, like the port authority, and Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises’ parent company.
The police commissioner Mick Fuller said at a Sunday press conference the situation has left “many unanswered questions.”
“Was Carnival or crew transparent in contextualizing the true patient/crew health conditions relevant to COVID-19?” he said. “They [Australian authorities] made contact with operations manager from Carnival and on each case they were informed that COVID-19 wasn’t an issue on the ship.”
The company said in a statement that it will “vigorously respond” to any allegations.
Of the 1,043 crew members who remain on board the ship, Princess Cruises said 35-40 are being observed by the medical staff. As many as 235 crew members have had COVID-19 symptoms since March 8, and 87 have recovered, the company said. Australian police said that 16 crew members have tested positive so far.
“It is heading in the right direction and we feel comfortable that the proactive onboard measures have contained any illness, which we are treating as if coronavirus,” said spokesperson Negin Kamali via email.
