The Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) has refused entry to a Norwegian cruise ship, citing concerns over health risks following reports of passengers onboard developing a stomach illness.
In a statement released on Sunday, the ports authority stated that the decision to deny access to the quay was made to mitigate potential health risks, prioritizing the safety of both passengers and the country as a whole.
According to a representative from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the company operating the ship named Norwegian Dawn, some passengers exhibited mild symptoms of a stomach illness during a voyage to South Africa.
Mauritian health authorities have quarantined 15 passengers and taken samples for testing, with results expected within 48 hours. Until then, boarding and disembarking the ship have been prohibited.
The Norwegian Dawn currently carries 2,184 passengers and 1,026 crew members, as reported by the MPA.
Plans for approximately 2,000 passengers to disembark in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, and for 2,279 new passengers to board have been put on hold pending further health assessments.