Passengers Disembark Quarantined Diamond Princess in Japan as Australians Await Evacuation

A number of passengers disembarked the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship, in Yokohama, Japan, on February 19, following the conclusion of the coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation period.

The disembarkation of passengers back onto Japanese soil was expected to take “several days” and would involve further testing of passengers prior to release, a statement from the ship read.

“A certificate that indicates a negative COVID-19 test result is expected to be granted by Japanese health authorities to exit the ship,” the statement said.

Some passengers from Canada, Australia and Hong Kong prepared to evacuate via charter flights organised by their governments.

About 200 Australian passengers spent the day preparing to evacuate the ship on a chartered Qantas flight to accommodation at Howards Springs, near Darwin to wait out another 14 days of quarantine before being allowed back home.

This footage, filmed by Australian man Boris Dunn, shows passengers leaving the ship and walking toward a process centre.

The outbreak of COVID-19 aboard the Diamond Princess was started by a guest from Hong Kong who travelled on the ship for five days and disembarked on January 25. Of the 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew members aboard the ship, there were 531 cases of the virus, according to an update from Japanese health officials on February 19. Credit: Boris Dunn via Storyful