On February 13, 2020, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) pointed out that the cruise ship MS Westerdam which docked in the Port of Kaohsiung on February 4 was turned away by several countries after leaving Taiwan’s port on February 5, and the cruise ship docked in Cambodia this morning.

The CECC indicated that there are 1,458 passengers in total on board the MS Westerdam. Two of these passengers are Taiwanese nationals while the other ones are foreign nationals or Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau nationals. Two Taiwanese nationals on board the cruise ship will be allowed to enter Taiwan and sent to a hospital for sample collection. If they test positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), two Taiwanese passengers will continue to be hospitalized in isolation wards for medical treatment. If tests come back negative, the passengers can return home to conduct self-health management for 14 days. Furthermore, no passengers will be seated in the same row, and at least two rows in front of and behind the two Taiwanese passengers on the plane. Foreign travelers are temporarily prohibited from entering or transiting through Taiwan.