Coronavirus: Thousands of quarantined passengers allowed to leave Hong Kong cruise ship

Passengers who were quarantined on board the World Dream cruise ship have been allowed to disembark after five days. Some 3,600 passengers and crew were confined to the ship when staff members raised concerns that they may be experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. 

However, after a rigorous screening process, the passengers who tested negative for the virus were finally allowed to disembark.

The ship has been docked in Hong Kong for the last week.

The decision to place the ship on lockdown came after 30 crew members on board reported feeling unwell.

Previously, three mainland Chinese passengers who had been on board the ship between January 19 and January 24 tested positive for the virus.

READ MORE: Cruise: 20 more cornavirus cases found on Diamond Princes

Reports say more than 60 passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for coronavirus.

At first, just 10 passengers were found to be ill and were transferred to a medical facility but since then, this figure has risen.

David said: “What is going to happen to us? Are we going to be tested again? Is the 14-day period going to be extended from today?

“When we get back to the UK will we be going into a further quarantine?

“We have not got answers to those questions.”

These latest figures make Japan the second-most infected country globally.

The disease began in Wuhan, China, but has since spread beyond its borders to 28 countries worldwide.

In the UK there are four reported cases, with over 37,600 worldwide.

So far 815 people have died as a result of the illness.

source: express.co.uk