US Retrieving Americans Aboard Quarantine Cruise Ship In Japan
Feb 15, 2020, 10:53 AM | Updated: Feb 17, 2020, 10:21 am
(Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The U.S. Embassy announced on its website that it will be chartering a plane to Japan to retrieve American under quarantine on a cruise ship due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan website, American passengers and crew were notified by email that they and their belongings would be transported by bus to the aircraft.
The travelers will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine once they arrive in the United States, according to the letter.
Deseret News reports that Tooele resident Melanie Haring will be returning home without her husband, John, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is hospitalized in Japan.
UPDATE: Passengers of the Diamond Princess received this letter.
The State Department is sending a charter plane to pick up anyone on the ship who wants to return to the U.S.
They will have to remain in quarantine for 14 additional days. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/CRmT6D2cDs
— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) February 15, 2020
In an interview with KSL TV’s Matt Rascon, John Haering said he’s been isolated inside the hospital, and the only time he was allowed to leave the room was when staff took him for a CT scan.
READ MORE: Utahn On Quarantined Ship Tests Positive For Coronavirus
A second Utahn, Jerri Jorgensen, of St. George, also tested positive for the virus and was taken to a Japanese hospital Friday. Her husband, Mark, remained on the ship.
Mark Jorgensen also said he would take the flight back to the United States.
Any of the citizens who choose not to return on the embassy’s plane could face an uncertain future in Japan.
“Should you choose not to return on this charger flight, you will be unable to return to the United States for a period of time,” according to the U.S. Embassy. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make a final determination on this matter.”
At this time it’s unknown what will happen to the others aboard the quarantine cruise ship.