State department advises U.S. citizens to not travel by cruise ship due to coronavirus

In this image from video, provided by the California National Guard, a helicopter carrying airmen with the 129th Rescue Wing flies over the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California Thursday, March 5, 2020. Scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay, officials ordered a cruise ship with 3,500 people aboard to stay back from the California coast Thursday until passengers and crew can be tested, after a traveler from its previous voyage died of the disease and at least two others became infected. Airmen lowered test kits onto the 951-foot (290-meter) Grand Princess by rope as the vessel lay at anchor off Northern California, and authorities said the results would be available on Friday. Princess Cruise Lines said fewer than 100 people aboard had been identified for testing. (California National Guard via AP)

by: WKRG Staff, Staff | newsweb@everythinglubbock.com

Posted: Mar 8, 2020 / 06:06 PM CDT

Updated: Mar 8, 2020 / 06:08 PM CDT

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — With the rise of coronavirus cases on cruise ships, the State Department sent out an advisory to warn all U.S. citizens, especially those with “underlying health conditions” to avoid cruise ships.

The State Department issued this tweet at 2:44 p.m.:

U.S. citizens, especially with underlying conditions, should not travel by cruise ship. #CDC notes increased risk of #COVID19 on cruises. Many countries have implemented screening procedures, denied port entry rights to ships and prevented disembarking. https://t.co/jh93gZTkpC pic.twitter.com/jI6S0UceVg
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) March 8, 2020