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Twelve days ago, 3700 passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess were ordered quarantined aboard ship in Yokohama, Japan after one of its passengers disembarked on Jan 25th in Hong Kong and was subsequently diagnosed with the disease now called COVID-19.
Since then, 218 passengers and crew (out of 713 people tested) have been found to be infected, and have been moved off the ship and into isolation.The shipboard quarantine is scheduled to last until at least February 19th, although some passengers who have been in contact with recently confirmed cases are expected to have their quarantines extended.
Today the United States Embassy in Japan has announced plans to evacuate Americans now quarantined in Japan back to the United States, and will send a chartered plane to Japan tomorrow (Feb 16th). Those who are symptomatic and unable to make the flight will receive care in Japan.
Due to concerns over ongoing exposures aboard the Diamond Princess, returnees will be subject to another 14-day quarantine at an American military base upon their return.First this brief announcement from the U.S. Embassy, then some excerpts from the letter to the passengers.
Updates on Diamond Princess Quarantine
February 15
The Department of State, working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other partner agencies, will provide a chartered aircraft to bring passengers directly from Japan to the United States.
The Embassy informed American passengers and crew on board about this decision in an email sent at 3:24, Tokyo time. A copy of the letter can be read here.
We continue to collaborate closely with HHS, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Government of Japan, and Carnival Cruise Lines on all aspects of this dynamic situation. The U.S. Embassy remains in close contact with all relevant authorities to ensure U.S. citizens aboard the ship, and their families, are fully informed as the situation develops.
Our primary goal is to ensure the welfare and safety of all U.S. citizens involved.
U.S. citizens aboard the Diamond Princess, hospitalized at local hospitals, as well as their friends and family can continue to reach us at USGShipContact@state.gov or call us at (+81) 03-3224-5000.
Letter to Passengers
(Excerpts)
The aircraft will arrive in Japan the evening of February 16. Buses will move you and your belongings from the ship to the aircraft. Passengers will be screened for symptoms and we are working with our Japanese partners to ensure that any symptomatic passengers receive the required care in Japan if they cannot board the flight.
The aircraft will land in the United States at Travis Air Force Base in California. Some passengers will then continue onward to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. We will provide information about your final destination prior to boarding the plane. Travelers returning to the United States from high-risk areas are required to undergo quarantine. Accordingly, you will need to undergo further quarantine of 14 days when you arrive in the United States.
We understand this is frustrating and an adjustment, but these measures are consistent with the careful policies we have instituted to limit the potential spread of the disease. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and will provide all the assistance we can to support the quarantine process.
Should you choose not to return on this charter flight, you will be unable to return to the United States for a period of time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make a final determination on this matter.(Continue . . . )
While the ordeal of these passengers will continue until at least early next month, the quarantine facilities in the United States are going to be less restrictive, and more comfortable, than the locked-down cabins they have been restricted to for nearly the last two weeks.
