Cruise ship with 250 passengers ‘suffering from respiratory illnesses’ DEMANDS to dock in Australia 

A cruise ship carrying more than 250 passengers who reportedly have respiratory illnesses has demanded it be allowed to dock in Perth.

The MSC Magnifica is due to arrive in Fremantle Port on Monday evening but has been blocked from disembarking in Western Australia by the state’s premier Mark McGowan.

Mr McGowan said all of the reportedly ill passengers, who are among 1,700 passengers on-board, are from coronavirus-stricken Germany, France and Italy.

MSC Cruises has rejected the premier’s claim and demanded it be allowed to dock. 

The MSC Magnifica cruise ship pictured in Sydney Harbour on March 16. The vessel reportedly has more than 250 passengers with a respiratory illness and has been banned from docking in Western Australia

The operator said not a single passenger or crew member was suffering from respiratory diseases or flu-like symptoms.

‘There is no evidence to suggest that anyone on board may be infected with COVID-19,’  MSC Cruises said in a statement.

‘Along her scheduled itinerary, the ship plans to call Fremantle in Western Australia for a technical call only.

‘The ship had done the same at other technical calls along her itinerary, including in Sydney where passengers and crew remained on board during the technical-only call there.

‘It has demanded it be allowed to stop and refuel.’ 

The cruise ship is pictured in Gdynia in Poland in 2017. MSC Cruises has denied anyone on-board is suffering from respiratory diseases or flu-like symptoms

The cruise ship is pictured in Gdynia in Poland in 2017. MSC Cruises has denied anyone on-board is suffering from respiratory diseases or flu-like symptoms

After re-fueling, the vessel is then scheduled to make its way to Dubai, WA Today reported. 

Mr McGowan said he has contacted the Home Affairs Minister, Peter Dutton, to explain his ‘priority is to protect West Australians’.

‘I will not allow what happened in Sydney to happen here. We will not allow passengers or crew to wander the streets. This is a non-negotiable position,’ he said. 

Last Thursday, the NSW government allowed the Ruby Princess to dock in Sydney as it was considered a low risk.  It was later discovered there were 48 passengers on board with the virus. 

NSW has the highest number of cases with 704 reported as of Monday, while the total infections nationally have reached 1,709.

Australia saw a significant spike in the number of coronavirus cases on Monday with the amount of people infected jumping from 1,355 to 1,709

Australia saw a significant spike in the number of coronavirus cases on Monday with the amount of people infected jumping from 1,355 to 1,709

Mr McGowan said options were currently being developed by the Commonwealth, the Defence Forces and the state Government. 

‘We are working cooperatively with the Commonwealth and in particular Minister Dutton to resolve this matter and I’d like to thank the Commonwealth for their support.

‘Options are currently being developed between the Commonwealth, the defence forces and the State Government. We will provide assistance to those with urgent needs.

‘This is an emerging and an evolving issue. We will work with the Commonwealth throughout the day to come up with a plan that properly protects our state.’

Premier Mark McGowan says more than 1,700 people are on board the MSC Magnifica cruise ship

Premier Mark McGowan says more than 1,700 people are on board the MSC Magnifica cruise ship

Last week the government banned all cruise ships from docking in Australia in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. 

However, under international law and custom, a port must grant refuge to a ship in distress.  

The surge in national infections comes as the federal government introduced strict new rules shutting down pubs, restaurants and cafes after Australians failed to take social distancing orders seriously. 

The forced closure has already seen tens of thousands of people suddenly out of work. 

Unemployed Australian were lined outside Centrelink offices on Monday hoping to to lodge claims for unemployment benefits and emergency assistance. 

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 1,709

New South Wales: 704

Victoria: 355

Queensland: 319

Western Australia: 140

South Australia: 134

Australian Capital Territory: 32 

Tasmania: 21 

Northern Territory: 4

TOTAL CASES:  1,709

DEAD: 7

On Monday, the prime minister vowed to continue to support the most vulnerable as he warned that many more would likely lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic. 

‘The tests, hardships and sacrifices that will be placed on all of us, on our national character, will undoubtedly break our hearts on many occasions in the months ahead,’ he said as he addressed parliament. 

‘But we must resolve today, as Australians, to come together and to pledge to each other across our nation that this coronavirus will not break our Australian spirit. 

‘So, together, and with the rest of the world, we face this unprecedented challenge. A once in a hundred year event. 

‘A global health pandemic that has fast become an economic crisis, the likes of which we have not seen since the Great Depression.’

In a bid to slow the spread of the deadly illness, pubs and licensed premises will be closed from midday Monday for about six months.

The restrictions also cover places of worship, casinos, restaurants and cafes without takeaway services, nightclubs and registered clubs. 

As news broke of the looming closures, panicked shoppers headed in droves to liquor stores to stock up on alcohol, however, bottle shops will remain open.  

The stricter rules come after tens of thousands of people flocked beaches across the country on Friday and Saturday, ignoring the ban on mass gatherings and social distancing orders. 

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