Canadians working aboard two cruise ships, who have been prevented from coming ashore due to COVID-19 concerns, have finally been allowed to return home. Global Affairs Canada said Saturday that 18 Canadians and one permanent resident on Holland America's Koningsdam disembarked and had left Los Angeles on Friday. "We encourage Canadian crew members on cruise ships who are experiencing difficulties in returning to Canada to contact the closest Canadian consulate or embassy, or Global Affairs Canada headquarters, to request consular assistance," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Approximately 99 U.S. crew members were also allowed to leave both ships, Princess Cruises said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that about 80,000 crew members remained on board ships off the U.S. coast after most passengers had disembarked.

Source: CBC News May 09, 2020 22:41 UTC