U.S. citizens warned not to travel by cruise ship during coronavirus outbreak

Following at least two high profile incidents where coronavirus spread rapidly on cruise ships, the U.S. State Department warned Americans against traveling by cruise ship amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship,” the State Dept. said. “CDC notes that older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the odds of catching the disease increase on cruise ships.

Several governments around the world have limited or denied entry to ships and forced passengers and crew into quarantine. The State Department said that it may be powerless to bring citizens back to the U.S. if they get quarantined while abroad.

“While the U.S. government has evacuated some cruise ship passengers in recent weeks, repatriation flights should not be relied upon as an option for U.S. citizens under the potential risk of quarantine by local authorities,” the State Department concluded.