Cruise ship Coral Princess goes into Covid lockdown after outbreak on board off WA coast

About 1900 passengers on the cruise liner Coral Princess are at the centre of a Covid scare after 100 infected passengers and crew were forced to isolate for five days.

The ship was the first luxury liner to enter Western Australian waters in more than two years because of the pandemic when it docked in Broome on Monday morning. 

But around 100-infected passengers and crew are unable to leave and must stay in isolation for the next five days after the virus was discovered circulating on the ship.

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About 1900 passengers on the cruise liner Coral Princess (pictured) are at the centre of a Covid scare and 100 infected passengers and crew were forced to isolate for five days

The Coral Princess had departed Sydney for WA on October 11 after the state government announced that it would allow large cruise liners to dock off the state’s coastline again.

A WA Health spokesperson said in a statement that the cruise ship operators should abide by the national eastern seaboard and Western Australian cruise protocols, as well as having their own COVID-19 plans.

‘In accordance with the protocols, while in WA waters cruise operators should report COVID-19 cases to WA Health 12 to 24 hours prior to arrival in a WA port,’ they said.

‘Regarding the Coral Princess, WA Health has been advised of passengers and crew testing positive to COVID-19, and this evolving situation is being managed by the vessel operator according to its COVID-19 plan.

‘Under the protocols, those onboard vessels who have Covid should isolate for five days.’

WA Health did not confirm how many cases are on board the vessel.

A Princess Cruises spokesperson told the Broome Advertiser that the outbreak on the ship was being managed.

‘A rise in cases among guests is being managed effectively in accordance with the Protocols, which exceed standards that apply to land-based venues,’ they said.

‘The Eastern Seaboard and Western Australia Cruise Protocols, developed by state authorities in conjunction with the cruise industry, have provided a strong foundation to manage any cases of COVID-19 on board.’

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The ship departed Sydney on October 11 and docked in Broome in north-western Western Australia on Monday morning

It’s understood about 100 passengers and crew on the cruise liner have tested positive for the virus

The Coral Princess can carry up to 2390 passengers and 900 crew.

According to the itinerary, the ship was scheduled to leave Broome at 6pm and head further down the WA coastline, docking in Geraldton, Fremantle, Busselton and Albany.

It would make its return to Sydney next month.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Princess Cruises for comment.