Day two of Ruby Princess crew repatriation

Information – Police Media –

Further crew members have disembarked the Ruby Princess today in the ongoing joint operation to facilitate the movement and eventual repatriation of crew members to their home countries.

NSW Police Force has worked closely with Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, NSW Health, Aspen Medical, Princess Cruises and government officials from numerous overseas jurisdictions to ensure the safe movement and eventual return of the crew members to their countries of origin.

Officers from the Marine Area Command, assisted by Transport for NSW, NSW Health and the Australian Defence Force, have assisted a further 115 crew members from nine countries disembark the vessel today (Wednesday 22 April 2020).

Of this group, 94 crew members tested negative for COVID-19, and were taken via charter bus to either Sydney International Airport or a Sydney hotel, where they will await flights to their countries of origin, which include Brazil, France, Germany, Republic of North Macedonia, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

21 crew members, who have tested positive for COVID-19, have also disembarked from the ship. These crew members have been taken to NSW Health-managed hotels to undertake a strict 14-day quarantine period.

Stringent protocols were maintained to ensure the movement of these individuals posed no risk to the public.

Once the 14-day quarantine period is exhausted, subject to a medical clearance by NSW Health, they will be transported to Sydney Airport to fly back to their countries of origin.

More crew members are expected to disembark from the Ruby Princess tomorrow before the ship leaves Australian waters.