Coronavirus: cruise operator bans Chinese nationals from its ships – as it happened

Total infections pass 30,000 as Wuhan whistleblower doctor dies and Singapore reports three new cases

• Full report: Wuhan facing 'wartime conditions'
• Doctor who blew whistle over virus dies
• 'Some idiot moaned about breakfast': life in coronavirus quarantine
• Share your stories

6.36pm GMT

6.19pm GMT

The cruise line operator Royal Caribbean has said it will refuse any passengers with Chinese, Hong Kong or Macao passports, regardless of when they were last in China.

The remarkable statement comes after reports that about two dozen passengers aboard a cruise ship that docked in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Friday morning were screened for coronavirus and four were sent to a local hospital for further screening.

Regardless of nationality, any guest or crew member traveling from, to, or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau less than 15 days prior to their sailing will be unable to board any of our ships.

Additionally, there will be mandatory specialized health screenings performed on:

a. Guests who are unsure if they have been in contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through mainland China or Hong Kong in the past 15 days;