Canada is also advising its citizens to steer clear of cruise ships.
Canada’s top health official has recommended all Canadians not to cruise.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam had previously asked people to ‘think twice’ about taking a cruise but now ‘the Public Health Agency of Canada is recommending that Canadians avoid all cruise ship travel due to covid-19."
Canada is planning to repatriate 237 Canadians still aboard the Grand Princess which docked in Oakland on Monday.
"The virus can spread quickly onboard cruise ships, due to the close contact between passengers," Dr. Tam said.
Canada has recorded 72 cases of coronavirus although some are still considered ‘presumptive.’
"Most of Canada’s cases include travelers from an affected area, or their close contacts," Tam said.
"The global situation changed quite rapidly, even from the time of the Diamond Princess cruise ship to now."
Foreign affairs minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Canadians with virus symptoms will not be allowed to board a repatriation flight.
"We have been working in close collaboration with our American partners to ensure the return of our Canadians as quickly and as safely as possible," he said.
