MS Westerdam docks at the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, February 14, 2020. (Photo: THX / VNA)

The decision came after an American passenger on the cruise ship MS Westerdam who disembarked in Cambodia tested positive for COVID-19 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Saturday. The American woman, 83, and her husband, were among 145 passengers from MS Westerdam who flew to Malaysia on Friday. 

MS Westerdam carrying more than 2200 passengers and crew members, docked in Cambodia on Thursday, after being turned away by Japan, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines, and Thailand.

As a precautionary measure, all remaining MS Westerdam passengers who are currently still in Cambodia will not be allowed to enter Malaysia since they are considered to have had close contact with the American patient, the deputy prime minister said. 

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines has cancelled three chartered flights booked by cruise operator Holland America Line to fly MS Westerdam passengers back home.