Coronavirus is a major health concern for many across the globe. The cruise industry has been affected by the global outbreak – and one ship in particular. Cruise ship Diamond Princess, of Princess Cruises, has been quarantined in Japan’s port of Yokohama for two weeks, with 3,700 passengers and crew on board.
The new patients will now be taken into a further quarantine in Japan.
The news comes just a day before their lockdown on board the Diamond Princess was due to end.
According to Abel, the group are being taken to a hostel rather than a hospital.
“We are NOT being taken to a hospital but a hostel… No phone, no wi-fi and no medical facilities,” he claimed on Facebook.
What’s more, Abel has speculated that he may be the victim of a conspiracy to keep him quiet following his regular updates from inside the ship.
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“Frankly I think this is a setup!” he wrote on Facebook, adding: “I really am smelling a very big rat here!”
A Princess Cruises spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “Princess Cruises confirms announcements, made by the Japanese Ministry of Health, over the past 48 hours, that include a total of 169 new positive cases of COVID-19 onboard Diamond Princess. Nationality information for these new cases is still being verified.
“We continue to follow guidance from the Japanese Ministry of Health on plans for disembarkation protocols to provide medical care for these new cases.”
The UK government has confirmed that it is looking getting the 78 British cruise passengers travelling on the Diamond Princess home.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) released a statement early this morning, saying: “Given the conditions on board, we are working to organise a flight back to the UK for British nationals on the Diamond Princess as soon as possible.
“Our staff are contacting British nationals on board to make the necessary arrangements. We urge all those who have not yet responded to get in touch immediately.
“Affected British nationals should call +81 3 5211 1100 (Japan) or +44 207 008 1500 (UK).”
Abel had previously said he felt abandoned by the UK Government while he saw many Americans being flown back home on Sunday.
There were approximately 400 US citizens onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship and the States is working to repatriate those who want to return home.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Saturday: “Due to the dynamic nature of the outbreak, the U.S. government recommends that U.S. citizens disembark and return to the United States.
“Americans returned by flights chartered by the State Department will be subject to a 14-day, federal quarantine and be housed at two existing federal quarantine sites for repatriated travellers.”
Yesterday, 14 of the American cruise passengers tested positive for coronavirus.
Their test results came in while they were being evacuated from the ship.
The group were then placed in segregated areas on the plane and were isolated and monitored.
American officials initially said that infected people would not be allowed to board the evacuation flights, but this decision appears to have been reversed, reported The New York Times.
Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong and Italy have also announced flights home for their citizens and residents.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has banned those quarantined on the cruise from entry for a further two weeks.
In this morning’s press conference, he announced: “Any person who was onboard that ship, regardless of their nationality, if they seek to enter Australia within the next 14 days, they will not be granted entry to Australia.”
Princess Cruises said in a statement today: “Princess Cruises can also confirm the Government of Canada and the Government of Australia are also planning to repatriate its citizens and permanent residents via chartered aircraft. For more information about these transportation plans, please contact each individual government.
“For our guests and crew onboard, Princess Cruises has engaged and partnered with World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit organization founded by chef José Andrés, which uses the power of food to heal and strengthen communities in times of crisis and beyond. Starting with lunch today, we will be integrating WCK meals into our food service options. Meals will continue to include breakfast, lunch and dinner, which will be delivered to staterooms accommodating all dietary requirements.”