The Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) has banned the Norwegian cruise ship Norwegian Dawn from calling its ports due to health risks after some passengers on board developed a stomach illness.
“The decision not to allow cruise ships to enter the quay was taken to avoid health risks,” the Port Authority said in a statement on Sunday.
“The health and safety of the passengers, and the health and safety of the country as a whole, is of paramount importance to the authorities.”
The passenger developed symptoms of a mild stomach illness while travelling to South Africa, a government representative said.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the company that operates the ship, was quoted by Reuters.
Mauritian health authorities have taken samples from 15 quarantined passengers and test results are expected within 48 hours. Until then, entry is prohibited.
According to MPA, the ship has 2,184 passengers and 1,026 crew members on board.
Approximately 2,000 passengers were scheduled to disembark at Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, and 2,279 new passengers were scheduled to board the ship.