Alert after Sydney crew boarded a Covid-riddled ship full of infected sailors

Workers at Port Botany boarded a ship where a dozen sailors later tested positive to Covid-19 during a 24-hour window that it was docked in Sydney.

The Inge Kosan bulk ship came from Papua New Guinea and arrived in Sydney on March 31 before leaving for Vanuatu – where 12 of the 13 workers on board tested positive.

The body of a man believed to be from the ship later washed up dead onshore on the island.

Vanuatu banned outbound travel from its main island for three days after the Covid-infected body washed up on a beach. 

The body of a Filipino fisherman was discovered near the capital of Port Vila on April 11 and was then taken to a local mortuary for testing. 

Vanuatu authorities detained a UK-flagged tanker after the remains were discovered, RNZ reported. 

Prime Minister Bob Loughman announced the body tested positive to coronavirus and imposed the three-day travel ban from the country’s main island Efate. 

The body of a Filipino fisherman was discovered near the capital of Port Vila on April 11 (pictured, police at the scene)

The restriction on travel was brought in while authorities conduct contact tracing to ensure the infection hasn’t spread wider across the islands.

Mr Loughman encouraged locals to get tested at Vila Central. 

Director General of Health Russell Tamata said 16 people are quarantining at Ramada Hotel following the discovery of the Covid-positive body.

The quarantine hotel guests are mostly police officers who attended the scene when the fisherman was discovered. 

The likelihood of community transmission is minor, Mr Tamata said.

Vanuatu has only recorded three coronavirus cases since the pandemic began over a year ago.

Vanuatu has banned outbound travel from its main island for three days after a Covid-infected body washed up on a beach. Pictured: An aerial view of the coastline at Port Vila