Westerdam passengers cleared to disembark in Cambodia

The Westerdam cruise ship, carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew, was denied entry by multiple countries before docking in Cambodia.

Although Cambodian authorities initially stated no one on board was found to be carrying the coronavirus, allowing passengers to begin disembarking, one passenger later tested positive for the virus in Malaysia.

Following the positive test, remaining passengers were ordered to stay on board, but have now all been given a clean bill of health and cleared to disembark after further testing.

The last 233 passengers disembarked on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, after being cleared to leave the vessel.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen personally welcomed passengers as they disembarked, with charter flights organized for their repatriation.

The World Health Organization praised Cambodia for its example of international solidarity in handling the situation.