Stranded Holland America cruise ship with 2 confirmed COVID-19 cases will be allowed to cross the Panama Canal

LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images

• The MS Zaandam, a Holland America cruise ship with two confirmed cases of COVID-19 onboard, will be permitted to transit the Panama Canal, according to a statement put out by the Panama Canal Authority.
• "The Panama Canal is preparing to facilitate the transit of the Zaandam through the waterway, after receiving authorization from Panama's Ministry of Health," a Panama Canal Authority spokesperson said in a March 28 statement sent to Business Insider.
• On March 27, the Panama Canal Authority sent a statement to Business Insider saying that, under protocols set by Panama's Ministry of Health, vessels under quarantine were not able to "transit the Canal."
• Four passengers have died aboard the ship, after an outbreak of respiratory illness sickened 138 people onboard.
• The MS Zaandam will not be scheduled for transit until it enters the waters of the Panama Canal.
• With the approval of the Panama Maritime Authority, the vessel is currently transferring its healthy passengers to its sister ship, the MS Rotterdam.
• Are you a cruise-ship passenger or employee with a story to share? Email acain@businessinsider.com.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The MS Zaandam, a Holland America cruise ship with two confirmed COVID-19 cases onboard, will be permitted to transit the Panama Canal, according to a statement from the Panama Canal Authority.

"The Panama Canal is preparing to facilitate the transit of the Zaandam through the waterway, after receiving authorization from Panama's Ministry of Health," a Panama Canal Authority spokesperson said in a statement sent to Business Insider.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: Watch this amazing time-lapse showing how ships get through the Panama Canal

See Also:

• A cruise ship with 1,800 people is unable to dock at any local ports. Now 138 are sick, 4 are dead, and coronavirus cases are being confirmed on the stranded ship still at sea.
• A day in the life of a passenger in lockdown aboard a Holland America cruise ship where 42 people have reported feeling 'influenza-like symptoms'
• Passengers have been confined to their rooms on Holland America's 'mystery cruise' after 42 guests and crew members come down with 'influenza-like symptoms'

SEE ALSO: Panama health authorities say Holland America cruise ship cannot pass through canal with cases of COVID-19 onboard

READ MORE: A cruise ship with 1,800 people is unable to dock at any local ports. Now 138 are sick, 4 are dead, and coronavirus cases are being confirmed on the stranded ship still at sea.

SEE ALSO: 138 passengers and crew members have fallen ill aboard the stranded Holland America cruise so far, and a coronavirus test is still on the way

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