Amidst concerns over potential health risks, the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) has refused entry to the Norwegian cruise ship Norwegian Dawn at its ports, following reports of passengers onboard suffering from a stomach illness.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the port authority emphasised that the decision to deny docking privileges was made to mitigate any potential health hazards.
“The health and safety of passengers as well as that of the country as a whole are of the utmost importance to the authorities,” the statement underscored.
According to a spokesperson from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the company operating the vessel, some passengers exhibited mild symptoms of a stomach illness during their voyage to South Africa, as reported by Reuters news agency.
Mauritian health authorities have initiated tests on 15 quarantined passengers, with results expected within 48 hours. In the interim, both boarding and disembarking procedures for the ship have been suspended.
The Norwegian Dawn currently accommodates 2,184 passengers and 1,026 crew members, as confirmed by the MPA.
Approximately 2,000 passengers were scheduled to disembark in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, while 2,279 new passengers were slated to board the vessel.
As the situation unfolds, authorities remain vigilant in safeguarding public health and ensuring stringent measures are in place to address any potential risks posed by the presence of illness onboard the Norwegian Dawn.