Japan to let elderly leave quarantined cruise after they test negative for coronavirus

Japan has reportedly said that it will allow elderly passengers on quarantined cruise liner Diamond Princess to disembark ahe of schedule if y test negative for coronavirus, health minister of Japan confirmed to media reports. As of Thursday, 44 new cases were detected aboard vessel docked in Japan's Yokohama, spiking total figures to at least 219, including five crew members.

Stefa Ravera, Captain of cruise liner confirmed to media that everyone over of 80 is w been tested for vel coronavirus in health screening phase and all those with a chronic medical condition that test negative will be transferred to government housing facilities until February 19.

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Health Minister of Japan, Katsubu Kato told international media, that elderly passengers who have pre-existing medical conditions, those in windowless rooms or cabins onboard ship would be allowed to leave starting Friday. He furr emphasized that this was a week earlier than originally targeted date February 19. He said, however, those people need to complete ir quarantine ashore.

Confirmed cases toll reaches over 200

According to reports,  confirmed cases of coronavirus toll soaring to at least 218 plus one quarantine officer, has raised concerns about conditions on ship worldwide, as approximately 3,500 people remain in lockdown on ship. About 80 per cent of ship's passengers were d 60 or over, with 215 in ir 80s and 11 in ir 90s, as per Japanese reporter’s index.

ship typically has a crew of 1,100 and a passenger capacity of 2,670. liner was docked off on arrival in Yokohama, near Tokyo after a Hong Conger disembarked liner and was tested positive for coronavirus before vessel’s arrival in Japan. British-flagged Diamond Princess, operated by Princess Cruise Lines, is one of world's largest cruise lines and a unit of Carnival Corp.

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(With ncy inputs)