More than 2,000 people travelling on a cruise ship in Indian waters have been prevented from disembarking after a Covid-19 outbreak on board, AFP reports.

The Empress set sail from Mumbai to the former Portuguese colony of Goa but was stopped by port authorities near its destination at the city of Vasco on Sunday after the infections were detected.

At least 66 people aboard the ship have tested positive for the virus, Eugene D'Souza, a pathologist at the nearby Victor Hospital, told AFP.

“It has been decided those who have tested positive will be hospitalised or home quarantined,” he added.