coronavirus, Steve Kons, Luke Martin, Tasmania, coronavirus, Burnie, cruise ship
Burnie residents should not be worried extra cruise ships visiting the city will spread coronavirus says Burnie mayor Steve Kons. Itinerary reshuffles caused by the outbreak have seen more cruise ships dock at Burnie instead of Asian ports. But the move has prompted calls on social media by concerned residents for the port to stop accepting cruise ships. Cr Kons said staff on the cruise ships were vigilant in their approach to the virus. "I'm very confident in the way the authorities are handling the situation," Cr Kons said. "I had to go on one of the ships. They checked my passport and if I had travelled overseas to China and places like that over the last couple of months. "I have confidence in professionals rather than scuttlebutt." Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the main priority at the moment in relation to coronavirus was adhering to the advice of medical experts. "If they say it's okay [for these ships to visit] what else can we do?" Mr Martin said. "We've got a very uncertain six to 12 months of tourism coming up so I think we need to look at the opportunities and be aware and manage the risks. "It's a good thing we are seeing a stimulus from this [cruise] market but certainly we need to adhere the advice of medical experts."
But the move has prompted calls on social media by concerned residents for the port to stop accepting cruise ships.
Cr Kons said staff on the cruise ships were vigilant in their approach to the virus.
"I'm very confident in the way the authorities are handling the situation," Cr Kons said.
"I had to go on one of the ships. They checked my passport and if I had travelled overseas to China and places like that over the last couple of months.
"I have confidence in professionals rather than scuttlebutt."
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the main priority at the moment in relation to coronavirus was adhering to the advice of medical experts.
"If they say it's okay [for these ships to visit] what else can we do?" Mr Martin said.
"We've got a very uncertain six to 12 months of tourism coming up so I think we need to look at the opportunities and be aware and manage the risks.
"It's a good thing we are seeing a stimulus from this [cruise] market but certainly we need to adhere the advice of medical experts."
