A Holland America Line (HAL) ship has been denied entry into Japanese ports as a precaution due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Westerdam had been scheduled to visit Ishigaki Island, Naha, Okinawa, Nagasaki and Fukuoka before a scheduled stop at Yokohama on 15 February.

No passengers or crew have been diagnosed with the virus and the ship is not in quarantine, announced the cruise line.

A HAL spokesperson said: “Holland America Line has been notified that the Japanese government will not permit Westerdam to call in Japanese ports.

“The ship is not in quarantine and there are no known cases of coronavirus on board at this time.

“We are quickly working to develop alternate plans and are keeping guests updated on board as information becomes available.

“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation with respect to coronavirus that originated in mainland China and our medical experts are coordinating closely with global health authorities to implement enhanced screening, prevention and control measures for our ships globally.”

A Princess Cruises (HAL’s sister brand) ship, Diamond Princess, is currently situated off the coast of Japan, having been placed under quarantine on 5 February after a passenger who had been on board was tested positive with the virus.

A total of 61 cases of coronavirus have since been confirmed on the ship.

In a statement, a spokesperson at Princess Cruises said: “We have been notified by the Japanese Ministry of Health that an additional 41 people from the targeted screening samples on board Diamond Princess have tested positive for coronavirus.

“We are working with health authorities to allow each guest to have regular time outdoors. Our guest experience team is arranging additional in-room entertainment options.”