Thailand takes in German ship after Vietnam says no on virus fears


BANGKOK: German cruise operator AIDA has been granted permission to dock one of its vessels in Thailand, days after it was blocked from doing so in Vietnam due to fear of the new coronavirus spreading in the region.

The Aidavita - with some 1,100 passengers and 400 crew - docked early on Saturday (Feb 15) at Thailand's eastern Laem Chabang port, a Thai Vessel Traffic Control and Maritime Security official who declined to be named told dpa.

"This morning the Department of Disease Control officials have monitored all the passengers and right now there has been no report of any patients inside," he said, adding that medical officers have gone up to inspect the ship and monitored each passengers prior to leaving the ship.

"The situation for this ship is normal and the officials have not found anyone with fever over 37.5 degrees," the officer said.

The ship will disembark on Sunday afternoon, he said.

Because of the worries about the virus, AIDA says it will now send the Aidavita and another vessel, the Aidabella, for tours in other parts of the world.

Rerouting these ships away from Asia - in effect, cancelling them - will affect some 3,300 passengers. - dpa/Asian News Network

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