Centre bans docking of foreign cruise ships on Indian ports till March 31

The Indian government has decided not to let any cruise ship from any foreign destination dock at any of its port. The measure has been taken keeping in mind the growing threat of COVID-19. Any international cruise ship or any member of its crew or passenger having a travel history of visiting any of the COVID-19 affected countries since 1st February 2020; will not be permitted to enter any Indian port till 31st March 2020. 25 cruise liners were scheduled to arrive in Indian ports till April-end. “Only those international cruise ships which had planned and intimated their call to an Indian Port not later than 1st January 2020 will be allowed to call on such port,” the Ministry of Shipping said. The government said international cruise ships will be allowed only at ports having thermal screening facilities for passengers and crew members. If any passenger/crew member of cruise ships show symptoms of coronavirus, disembarking will not be permitted, it added.