Dubai has welcomed 13 foreign cruise ships that were at sea while most countries closed their ports because of the coronavirus pandemic, an Emirati official said on Wednesday.
Event Location
Dubai , Dubai
Start Time
25 April 2020, 12:00 AM
End Time
30 April 2020, 12:00 AM
Dubai officials permitted foreign cruise liners stuck at sea to dock in their port. Tens of thousands aboard cruise ships repatriated, with none testing positive for virus.
Mohammed Al Mannai, executive director of Port Rashid said,"We have welcomed all boats that found themselves in the region, whether they were based in the Emirates or passing through."
Thirteen cruise liners carrying 29,000 passengers and 10,000 crew members have been granted entry by Dubai port authorities, he said.
Mr Al Mannai said the passengers and crew, none of whom tested positive, spent a long time at sea before finding a port at which to berth.
The empty cruise liners are still docked in Dubai, where they could remain until October, when Mr Al Mannai hopes the tourist season might resume and the port return to normal operation.
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