EU is taking part in the repatriation of the EU citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise ship which is currently docked in Yokohama, Japan, via flights from Italy mobilised through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
The EU informed that the first Italian aircraft has departed Italy heading to Japan with an advanced medical team on board and a second aircraft will leave this evening to repatriate EU citizens on board the Diamond Princess.
Moreover, the Italian medical team will examine those who have been tested negative for COVID-19 or those who do not present any symptoms of the illness will be allowed to board the flight. After arrival in Europe, passengers will start a new quarantine period organised and monitored by each Member State.
The EU will co-finance these flights.
Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management commented that
The outbreak of this epidemic is full of human stories. We must not lose sight of them amongst the numbers and statistics. I thank the Italian authorities and all the flight crew and staff for helping bring EU citizens safely back home. The EU continues to work 24/7 both to support our Member States as well as China. We are currently working on dispatching further supplies to China in the coming days.
It should be reminded that the Diamond Princess cruise ship has been in quarantine since early February after a disembarking passenger tested positive for COVID-19. The cruise line first reported on February 4 about ten passengers that had been positively tested for Coronavirus. Then, on February 6, the company informed of 41 additional passengers infected. Today, Japan’s health ministry has informed that two passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship have died from the novel coronavirus.
