Comment – What is the responsibility of the flag state?

A report on the website of Seattle Times says that foreign flag cruise ships with people infected by the coronavirus should try to evacuate people to the country of the registration of the ship first, rather than to the US. “The U.S. Coast Guard has directed cruise ships to prepare to treat any sick passengers and crew on board while being sequestered “indefinitely” offshore during the coronavirus pandemic.” (cruisebusiness.com)