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UK begins repatriating citizens from virus-stricken Japan cruise ship
LONDON, Feb 22, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The British government said Saturday it
had begun repatriating its citizens from a cruise ship quarantined off Tokyo
for more than two weeks by Japanese authorities over the coronavirus
outbreak.
“We can confirm the evacuation flight from Japan has now departed with 32
British and European passengers on board, as well as British government and
medical staff. It is due to arrive in the UK on Saturday morning,” the
Foreign Office said in a statement.
The plane will land at Boscombe Down military base in southern England and
passengers will be placed in a further 14-day quarantine.
The Diamond Princess cruise ship was quarantined on February 5 when a
passenger who left in Hong Kong was found infected with the virus.
Passengers were confined to cabins except for brief trips on deck wearing
masks and gloves, when they were told to keep their distance from others.
Hundreds of passengers have since been allowed to disembark this week
after testing negative for the deadly virus.
The United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and South Korea have all
said they will evacuate their citizens from the boat, with more than 300
Americans arriving back on home soil on Monday.
Tokyo has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with dozens
of new infections detected almost daily since the ship arrived.
BSS/AFP/SSS/0821 hrs