NSW Ports today received a Direction from the NSW Police Commissioner to assist the State of New South Wales with its response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
NSW Ports has been directed to provide berth and port facilities for the Carnival Cruise vessel, the Ruby Princess, for a period of 10 days, commencing on 5 April 2020.
The Ruby Princess currently has only crew on board (no passengers), with a number of the crew unwell with COVID-19. The Ruby Princess will berth at Port Kembla’s Berth 104 to facilitate medical treatment of the crew and the safe transfer of crew members who may require hospitalisation. Crew will not disembark unless permitted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Maritime Quarantine) Order 2020 issued by the Minister for Health and Medical Research under the Public Health Act 2010. All activities at berth and the transfer of unwell crew members to hospital will be overseen by NSW Police and NSW Health.
The vessel is currently expected to arrive on Monday 6 April. Strict protocols and procedures will be in place at all times to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all workers involved and the wider community.
-Ends-
To download this media release click here.
Inquiries relating to the Ruby Princess should be directed to NSW Health (media@health.nsw.gov.au) and/or the NSW Police Force (media@police.nsw.gov.au). Further police-related inquiries can also be directed to Ainslie Blackstone on 0448 105 059.
For media inquiries relating to port operations please contact NSW Ports on 0410 597 547 or vida.cheeseman@nswports.com.au