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South China Morning Post
In the Indonesian city of Makassar in South Sulawesi province, there is a hive of activity on board a passenger and cargo ship that is being converted into a floating isolation facility for patients who test positive for Covid-19.
Ship management officer Ramidi, who like many Indonesians only uses one name, sits in his office on the fifth deck of the Umsini, where he usually takes care of crew applying for leave or changing shifts. In the past, every time we finished a voyage, the entire crew would take a Covid-19 test. If there were indications that someone was infected, they would be removed from the ship and treated on land, the 51-year-old said.
However, cruise travel was relaxed in June, enabling river cruises, although sea-going voyages were still banned.
Following the meeting, a Department for Transport spokesman told the Telegraph: “We are committed to restarting cruise travel when it is safe to do so, and we are working closely with the sector to prepare for a safe and successful restart.
“The restart of domestic cruises in England will be aligned with the wider resumption of the domestic tourism and indoor hospitality sectors.”
When can you go on a cruise holiday: Cruise travel was relaxed in June (Image: GETTY)
A task force headed by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is due to publish a report on overseas holidays on April 12.