Disembarkation Begins for US Cruise Ship Grand Princess Infected with COVID-19

Disembarkation to Take Place Over Two Days

About 1,100 Passengers to Receive Isolation Treatment Off the Ship

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Passengers of the US cruise ship 'Grand Princess,' where a cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred, began disembarking on the 9th (local time) to undergo COVID-19 testing and treatment.

According to local media such as AP News and The New York Times (NYT), the Grand Princess, carrying a total of 3,535 passengers and crew, docked at the Port of Oakland in San Francisco and started disembarkation in the afternoon.

The US government plans to complete the disembarkation of passengers over two days, by the 10th.

First, among about 2,000 American passengers, approximately 900 California residents and critically ill patients disembarked first.

The remaining approximately 1,100 American passengers are scheduled to disembark on the 10th.

The California residents who disembarked first will be quarantined for two weeks at Travis Air Force Base north of Oakland and Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego.

American passengers disembarking on the 10th will be transferred to the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas and the Air Force Base in Dobbins, Georgia, for quarantine.

All 25 children among the passengers are reported to be healthy.

Passengers from countries other than the United States, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, will be repatriated using charter flights sent by their home countries.

About 1,100 crew members of the Grand Princess will remain on the ship to receive isolation treatment.

Vice President Mike Pence said at a White House press conference, "California residents have disembarked and are expected to move to military bases today," adding, "Appropriate isolation measures will be taken for 21 passengers and crew members who tested positive for COVID-19."

Meanwhile, according to the California state government, the Grand Princess is expected to move to another port after all passengers have disembarked.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.