Twenty-nine passengers from the Artania cruise ship, who have tested positive for COVID-19, will be cared for at a private health facility in Perth.
The federal and state government along with the Joondalup Health Campus have reached an agreement to care for the patients in the 145-bed private hospital.
"This humanitarian hospital care will be provided in one of the state's premier facilities, which is fully prepared for and is already treating COVID-19 patients," Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement on Monday.
Joondalup Health Campus chief executive Kempton Cowan said it was important that the private sector could assist these patients.
"Our teams are ready with the appropriate training and strict infection controls and safety protocols in place," he said.
The 29 new cases bring to 41 the number who tested positive for the virus from the German cruise ship.
The ship's other passengers have been flown home to Germany.
The care agreement comes as other Western Australian cruise ship travellers are set to arrive on Rottnest Island for a fortnight in quarantine as the state braces for further overseas arrivals.
Passengers from the cruise ship MS Artania are seen arriving at Perth airport on buses before boarding a charter flight back to Germany, 29 March, 2020. Source: AAP
About 200 passengers from the Vasco da Gama liner, which has moored in Fremantle, will be ferried to Rottnest on Monday.
A further 600 Australians from other states and territories will be quarantined at the Duxton Hotel in Perth's CBD for two weeks before flying home.
The same arrangement will be in place for a Qatar Airways aircraft due to land in Perth on Monday carrying Australian passengers from Italian cruise liners.
About 270 Australians are on board the flight, including 120 Western Australians. No passengers with coronavirus symptoms were allowed to board.
Three-quarters of WA's 311 confirmed coronavirus cases have either come from a flight or a cruise ship.
Non-West Australians are currently allowed to travel to WA providing they go into isolation for 14 days upon arrival.
But Premier Mark McGowan on Sunday said the state would consider implementing a hard border to control its coronavirus infection rate.
This would deny entry to anyone other than essential workers or returning WA residents.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at
