YANGON-As there will be cruise ships arriving in Yangon in the coming days, the Ministry of Health and Sports is now preparing for COVID-19 medical checkups the crew members and passengers onboard on the cruise, according to the Ministry.

The  Central Infectious Disease Control Department under the Ministry of Health and Sports detail recorded schedules of the cruises, estimated passengers’ list, loading and uploading of newly passengers at the international jetties in cooperation with the tour agencies.

According to the figures from WHO available yesterday morning, there were 79,331 confirmed cases across the globe. The number included 74 in Hong Kong, 10 in Macao and 28 in Taiwan outside mainland China. A total of 2,764 people have died.

There were 23 deaths outside mainland China but ASEAN countries had no more confirmed cases.

At present, more COVID-19 patients have been found in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Austria, Canada, Italy, Iran and UAE.

Moreover, the South Korean government raised its infectious disease alert to its highest level.

The Health Ministry reported that authorities conducted health checks on 59 crew members and researchers onboard on Chinese research vessel that arrived in Yangon on February 12 aiming to do marine science research in cooperation with Myanmar, and no one was found to have a fever.

Chinese research vessel XIANG YANG HONG 06 arrived at Thilawa Port at about 4.20pm on February 12. Then, officials from the Central Infectious Disease Control Department, Port Health Immigration Department and Public Health Department got on the ship and carried out health screenings such as taking temperature of individuals and checking their daily temperature records, health declaration cards and food and hygienic conditions.

The vessel was allowed to be moored at the port at 6 pm as it had left Maldives since January 21 exceeding the incubation period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).