10 Mar 2020

Cruise ship saga sparks action over virus threat in PNG

From , 5:04 am on 10 March 2020

The government of a Papua New Guinea province has defended its move to ban a cruise ship entering due to the Covid-19 threat.

East New Britain's administration concedes its decision hurt local tourism operators, but says there's no way its health system could contain the virus should it enter the province

As Johnny Blades reports, the province's response reflects the vulnerability of Pacific Islands populations and their economies to coronavirus. 

One of the biggest world cruise liners in the world, P&O's "Grand Princess" stays on dock in St Petersburg port, 24 May 2004. Grand Princess, built in Italy for US$450 million, is the biggest cruise ship which ever visited Russia.

Photo: AFP / STRINGER / INTERPRESS