MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia cruise ship can accommodate up to 4,500 passengers. Credit: Estormiz / Wiki Commons.

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Read about the effect of coronavirus (Covid-19) on cruise ships.

MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia cruise ship has received permission to dock at Mexico Cozumel port after it was turned away by Jamaica and Cayman Islands over coronavirus (Covid-19) fears.

The cruise ship was denied entry by the Caribbean nations as it carried a sick crew member who travelled to countries with confirmed coronavirus cases.

The cruise line operator confirmed that it received ‘formal and final authorisation from the local health authorities in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico, to get to Cozumel’.

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However, due to 35-40k winds and stormy conditions, the cruise ship is currently near the pilot station, waiting for the wind speeds to decrease to ensure the safe passage to the port.

The port of Cozumel permits winds speeds of up to 25k for berthing.

The weather is expected to improve by 8 am ET when the ship will head into port, as agreed by the local port authorities.

In a statement released on 26 February, MSC Cruises said that it was disappointed that Jamaican authorities delayed the decision for granting clearance for disembarkation, despite the fact that the cruise provided detailed medical records before arrival.

MSC Cruises that Grand Cayman authorities refused without checking ship medical records.

The crew member was said to have common seasonal flu (type A influenza) and was isolated as a precautionary measure.

He has been administered anti-viral treatment and medication and is reported to have ‘nearly recovered’.

The company said that MSC Meraviglia and any other ship in the fleet does not carry any cases of Covid-19.

Earlier this month, Saint Lucia and Dominica denied entry of the cruise ship AIDAperla as it carried a large number of sick passengers on board.