Coronavirus: American couple refuses to be evacuated from cruise ship as they don't want additional quarantine
As the United States government is planning to repatriate American citizens on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship -- which has been quarantined off the coast of Japan amid a coronavirus, now named COVID-19, outbreak -- a passenger aboard the ship is speaking out against the plan.
Matthew Smith and his wife have been quarantined on board the ship with other passengers since February 5. Since then the number of cases on board the ship has climbed to over 200 in the largest outbreak outside of China. Over 350 American passengers are currently on the cruise ship.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the passengers will be offered seats on two flights that could arrive at Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento, California as early as Sunday. A CDC team will screen passengers and those exhibiting symptoms won’t be allowed on the flights.
However, Smith is against the plan and told Fox News that he prefers to stay on the ship. He said, “Our greatest desire at this point is to maintain the quarantine that the Japanese health officials have established, then get a test for the virus at the end of that quarantine so we can establish with relative certainty that we are not infected and be free to go."
He continued, "Unfortunately, the State Department has thrown a monkey wrench into that," voicing his concerns about the proposed plan.
Smith said, “I understand getting off the ship to be in another space, but under this circumstance, the offer is we’re going to put you on buses with other people who haven’t completed their quarantines and have not been tested for the virus."
“We’re going to then put you on a plane with all these people and take you back to the United States, and because of the risk you still pose due to that situation we’re going to stick you in another quarantine.”
Smith added that he would rather stay on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship. While the ship is “getting a bad rap” for its living conditions, Smith said he is content where he is.
“We have access to the balcony, we are fed well – three times a day along with excess food — they provide all the necessities we need in there,” he said. “We can go outside for fresh air and sunshine – when it does shine – whenever we like,” he explained.
Smith said he does understand the situation of those who are not staying in a suite like he and his wife. He said, "Other passengers have a vastly different experience if they’re on an interior cabin, which is markedly smaller and no access to fresh air. They have allowed those passengers up on the deck for an hour every few days."
Though Smith admits his wife has been "depressed" and "more emotional" about the quarantine situation, he said his wife, too, was upset to learn about the government's plan to evacuate American citizens. He said, "Health-wise we are perfectly fine."