Passengers on board the MS Zaandam, a Holland America Line cruise ship, have been asked to remain in their cabins because several crew members and guests had begun exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
Holland America Line cruise ship stated that aboard Zaandam, 13 guests and 29 crew reported to the ship’s medical center with influenza-like symptoms. Out of an abundance of caution, they asked all guests to remain in their staterooms until further notice. Namely, there are 1,243 guests and 586 crew on board.
Initially, the cruise was scheduled to last 14 days, embarking from Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7 and set to end in San Antonio, Chile, past Saturday. Those plans were diverted because of the coronavirus pandemic; in particular, Chile prevented the ship from allowing its passengers to disembark due to coronavirus concerns.
A day after the ship was supposed to dock in San Antonio, passengers reported an outbreak of sickness on board, according to Business Insider.
A Holland America representative confirmed that ”guests have been asked to remain in their staterooms and monitor their health.” The quarantine will also apply to all crew members “who are not required for the safe operation of the ship,” the person said, adding that all cruise staffers would be asked to practice social distancing and self-isolation.
The passengers and crew members who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms have not yet received a diagnosis of COVID-19.
