Two cruise ships were planned to dock at Honolulu Harbor at the end of this week, but passengers will not get permissions to disembark.
The ships concerned are the ‘Maasdam’, operated by Holland American Line, and the ‘Norwegian Jewel’, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line.
The ships will only be allowed to refuel and restock supplies, and then head back out to sea, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
Currently, Hawaii has implemented an all-cruise ship operations pause for 30 days, starting from March 14.
Information reports that the Maasdam carries 850 people on board and the Norwegian Jewel 1,700, while neither ship has any confirmed cases of COVID-19.
What is more, screenings and temperature readings for cruise ship passengers disembarking would begin on March 20.
Commenting on the situation, Director Jade Butay, Hawaii Department of Transportation stated that all state resources are focused on containing the spread of COVID-19.
Allowing more than 2,500 passengers and crew to disembark will further strain these resources
