A cruise liner carrying more than 100 people who have tested positive for Covid-19 has docked in Italy.
The MCS Grandiosa liner arrived at the port of Civitavecchia, which serves Rome, on Tuesday to let some of its 4,000 passengers disembark.
After sailing from Marseille in France, the vessel had stopped at the northern Italian city of Genoa before heading south along the coastline.
Italian state TV’s RaiNews24 on Monday reported that 150 passengers had returned positive coronavirus tests and that most of them were Italian.
The cruise group said 45 of them left the ship in Genoa “to be taken home safely” at the company's expense.
“Today we are disembarking 45 positive cases in Genoa,” MSC's communications department said on Monday.
“As per protocol, the Covid-positive passengers and their relatives were immediately isolated in balcony cabins and received medical attention."
The company said the majority of people who had tested positive for Covid were not experiencing any symptoms.
Genoa daily newspaper Il Secolo XIX reported that others would leave the liner in Civitavecchia or in Palermo, Sicily.
Genoa port authorities told AFP that Italian nationals who tested positive for the coronavirus had been taken home by the civil protection services, while infected foreign passengers were transferred to medical facilities.
The outbreak is a blow for Europe’s cruise industry, which has suffered heavily due to lockdowns and travel restrictions across the continent.
At the beginning of the pandemic multiple vessels were hit by mass outbreaks on board.
Following a break from voyages, many cruise companies resumed their activities in the summer.
Last week another MSC liner was hit by a Covid outbreak while it was sailing in the Caribbean.
MSC Seashore was refused permission to dock at the Bahamas after the virus was detected on board.
The liner arrived at the company’s private island of Ocean Cay on December 29 and passengers prepared to disembark to enjoy a day on the beach. However, the captain informed them that the ship would remain at sea throughout the day.
“Unfortunately, and unlike most ports of call, the government of the Bahamas has decided to force us to cancel our call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve today out of an abundance of caution,” Captain Galano, master of the MSC Seashore, said in a letter distributed to passengers.
“Due to the short notice, we will replace it with an additional day at sea. I apologise for any inconvenience this might cause you and thank you for your understanding.”
He said “a limited number,” of Covid cases had been found among the crew, “as well as a handful of guests who tested positive" for the virus during the five-day voyage from Miami, Florida.
The Bahamas' decision to deny entry to the ship came a day after the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention raised its alert level on cruising to urge travellers to avoid liners, regardless of their vaccination status.
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
HAJJAN
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