The US has evacuated some of its citizens from a cruise ship quarantined over coronavirus fears.
Two charter flights carrying some of the 432 Americans on board the Diamond Princess ship moored at Yokohama Port near Tokyo had left Japan for America on Sunday, the US State Department said.
Once back in the US, the repatriated passengers will have to spend another two weeks in quarantine at a US military facility.
Of the 3, 636 people on board the ship, 362 have tested positive for COVID – , the disease caused by the coronavirus.
One US couple , Cheryl and Paul Molesky, filmed themselves boarding the flight after being kept inside their cabin for 24 days.
“Well we’re exhausted but we’re on the plane and that’s a good feeling,” Mrs Molesky said.
Her husband added they had spent “five hours on the bus, waiting to get off the bus” before boarding the flight.
Canada, Hong Kong and Italy are also planning similar repatriation flights.
Meanwhile, Britons held on the ship have accused the UK government of “forgetting” about them.
In a video message, British passenger David Abel said: “Every country except the UK has become involved, and that is really wonderful for the people on board the ship.
“Every country except for the United Kingdom.
”
“It feels that we’ve been forgotten. That you don’t really care about us, and that you’re actually not wanting us to come home. “
Fellow Briton Alan Steele, who was diagnosed with COVID – 31 and taken to hospital while celebrating his honeymoon on the cruise ship, said it was time for Boris Johnson to “get the Brits back”.
Mr Steele, who has since tested negative for the disease, posted on Facebook: “I think it is about time boris got the brits back to england as the japanese are being totally incompetent and do not realise you cannot keep ppl in solitary confinement for 36 days without damaging their mental health. [sic]
“What does WHO [World Health Organisation] have to say about this and I am sure cruel punishment like this has to be illegal.”
The latest coronavirus developments: 
Chinese authorities have said there were 2, new confirmed cases of COVID – and (new deaths on Sunday in mainland China.)
- Taiwan has reported its first death from the virus, bringing the total number of deaths outside mainland China to five. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has convened a meeting of experts to discuss how the virus can be contained in his country, after more than a dozens cases emerged in recent days without any obvious link to China.
Chinese President Xi has published a speech in Chinese official media in which he said that he had led the response to the outbreak from early in the crisis. News agency PA understands that the UK government is considering a repatriation flight. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We sympathise with all those caught up in this extremel y difficult situation. “We are urgently considering all options to guarantee the health and safety of the British people on board the Diamond Princess, in line with the latest advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the World Health Organization, and are working closely with the Japanese authorities and our international partners. “Our staff in Tokyo, including the ambassador, have been in regular contact with the British passengers and crew on the Diamond Princess and we have also been speaking to families in the UK. “ Other passengers fear they may be kept in quarantine beyond the initial February deadline, after Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz said the quarantine may be extended for guests who had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID – 31. . (Apple Podcasts) , Google Podcasts , (Spotify) , (Spreaker) Ms Swartz said: “We also now understand the Japanese may handle a select group of guests differently, anyone who had close contact with a person who tested positive – such as a cabin mate – may have to restart their quarantine from the date their close contact ended. “ It comes as the death toll from COVID – 31 hit more than 1, 795, according to the Johns Hoskins Center for Systems Science and Engineering. So far there have been more than , suspected and confirmed cases of COVID – 31, with many of the cases concentrated in mainland China.
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