Sydney, Australia: Reminiscent of a viral moment from the COVID-19 era, a cruise ship, Majestic Princess has reached the docks of Sydney Harbor with close to 800 COVID-19-positive passengers onboard.

The cruise ship anchored at the Circular Quay after leaving New Zealand and will soon leave Sydney for Melbourne.

The ship’s arrival and the peculiar nature of the passengers onboard bring back vivid memories of another cruise ship, Ruby Princess’s arrival, in Sydney in March 2020, the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia. The ship which was ultimately linked to 28 deaths and more than 600 infections, triggering a New South Wales government special commission of inquiry and a class action lawsuit against the operator,

The Majestic Princess docked in Sydney with over 4,600 guests and personnel on board. According to the cruise line operator, Princess Cruises, those who had contracted the virus were screened and each passenger was subjected to a rapid antigen test 24 hours before onboarding.

Travelers who tested positive and choose to remain on the ship had to isolate for a minimum of five days. While it is not now necessary for persons with COVID to isolate in Australian jurisdictions, it is advised that they do so while ill.

President of the Majestic Princess’s parent company, Carnival Australia, Ms. Marguerite Fitzgerald, updated that all cases were asymptomatic or only mildly affected and that they had been advised to avoid using public transportation.

The pandemic has seen a sharp rise in cases across Australia over the previous week, a predicted “fourth wave,” which has prompted Queensland to advise residents to wear masks inside and on public transportation.

AWARENESS: Abnormal Weather in UK and Europe caused by Climate Crisis; Experts