Cambodia allowed a yacht carrying more than 2,000 MS Westerdams to Sihanoukville port, after it was rejected by five places because of concerns about the corona virus.

"We will immediately leave for Sihanoukville in Cambodia," Captain Vincent Smit today informed passengers, saying Cambodian officials would conduct a quick check-up on board. The cruise is expected to arrive at 7pm on February 13.

"Guests will be able to land," the US-based cruise operator Holland America said today. "We are extremely grateful to the Cambodian government for their support."

The yacht carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members departed in Hong Kong on February 1 with a 14-day tour of Asia. However, Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand all refused entry, although Holland America insisted no one was infected with the new corona virus (nCoV) on board.

Cambodia received MS Westerdam in the context of Prime Minister Hun Sen repeatedly voicing his support for Beijing in the fight against corona pneumonia (Covid-19), emphasizing that Cambodia is "committed and suffering with China". He came to Beijing last week and even expressed interest in the Wuhan epidemic but China refused.

Countries with patients infected with corona virus. Click on image to see details.

The Covid-19 epidemic, which began in December 2019, appears in 26 countries and territories, killing 1,115 people and over 45,000. Cambodia recorded a case of nCoV infection as a man from Wuhan.

A number of other yachts have also been denied berths across the Asia-Pacific region due to concerns about the epidemic. Diamond Princess Yacht carrying 3,711 passengers and crew were isolated at the port of Yokohama, Japan, from 4/2. 175 people on board were infected.