YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (WTWO/WAWV) – After 13 days in quarantine onboard the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship, more than 300 Americans finally landed back on U.S. soil Monday morning.
While they are one step close to being home, the passengers will still be under quarantine in the United States for another 14 days at either Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California or Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas.
Among Americans who were aboard the cruise ships were Jim and Linda Levell of Vincennes. WTWO/WAWV has not yet confirmed the couple was evacuated; however, Linda said via text message Saturday they were ” “grateful to come back to the USA.”
“These charter flights are the only opportunity for eligible passengers to fly to the United States until March 4, 2020, at the earliest,” the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo warned passengers in a letter Sunday. “This date is 14 days after the remaining passengers are expected to depart the ship on February 19.”
Fourteen passengers who tested positive for the coronavirus were allowed on the flight. According to reports, non were showing symptoms and they were kept in a “specialized containment area” isolated from other passengers.
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