Cruise ship granted permission to dock in Cambodia

The MS Westerdam cruise ship was seen approaching Cambodia's Sihanoukville port on Thursday, where it was finally set to dock after being refused permission by four other countries over fears of a new virus that originated in China. The ship was unwelcome despite assurances from operator Holland America Line that no cases of the viral disease known as COVID-19 have been confirmed among the more than 2,200 passengers and crew on board.

The ship was turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand.

Fears about the spread of the disease has heightened since Japan's health ministry confirmed at least 174 cases aboard another cruise ship that is quarantined in Yokohama, Japan.

(Picture Credit: pixabay)