The U.S Embassy in Tokyo said in a letter to American passengers quarantined on board the Princess Diamond cruise ship, that an American chartered flight will be taking them home come Sunday evening.
The 428 U.S passengers are among thousands quarantined on the cruise liner, in Yokohama, Japan, since February 3rd-- because of the coronavirus.
Over 200 of the 3,700 passengers and crew on board the ship have tested positive of the virus, 32 of which are American. The ordeal started after a man who earlier disembarked from the vessel, in Hong Kong, China, was diagnosed with the flu-like virus.
The letter told passengers they would "need to undergo further quarantine of 14 days" upon arriving in the U.S.
U.S passengers who've tested positive of the virus will also be allowed to take the flight depending on their level of health. Anyone with the virus who isn't well enough to travel will remain in Japan for further treatment.
According to the letter, the flight is optional. Anyone who chooses to remain on the ship will "be unable to return to the United States for a period of time."
Passengers who take Sunday's flight will be taken to Travis Air Force Base in California and Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, for further quarantine.
Passengers who remain on the ship until their 14 day quarantine period expires on Wednesday, February 19th, will be allowed to disembark but not travel to the U.S for an unspecified period of time.
By: Niza Nondo
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