Coronavirus: Ruby Princess leaves Australian coastline

The Ruby Princess has finally left the Australian coastline and is heading north, bound for the Philippines, after departing New South Wales late last week.

The ship, which is linked to more than 20 coronavirus deaths and more than 600 infections across Australia and New Zealand, was in the Coral Sea east of Cairns on Monday afternoon, according to Marine Traffic data.

Operator Princess Cruises confirmed the vessel is still heading to Manila after previously hugging the Australian coast.

"Ruby Princess is out of Australian waters in compliance with the Australian Border Force direction," a spokesman told AAP in a statement on Monday.

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Half the crew members were taken off the ship before it left Port Kembla on Thursday evening.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller last week said 567 crew members were repatriated or taken ashore for Covid-19 treatment before the vessel departed Wollongong, where it had been moored for more than two weeks.