Tim Sakahara, Public Information Officer with State Department of Transportation, sent this email on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 5 p.m.:
HDOT Harbors Division and the U.S. Coast Guard are continuing coordination with the Maasdam cruise ship that is en route to Hawaii. The ship had a port call for Hilo, however that reservation has been canceled. HDOT is working with the vessel’s agent regarding a new reservation, however Honolulu Harbor is the preferred port HDOT will accept. To date, there have been no positive cases of Covid-19 associated with the ship. The vessel will have been at sea longer than the 14 day incubation period prior to arriving in Hawaii. The vessel’s leadership is required to report any symptomatic passengers prior to arriving in Hawaiian waters. If there are concerns with passengers the ship can be held out of port. Additional details will be shared as they are confirmed.
