Donald Trump has revealed plans to allow British passengers trapped on a coronavirus-infected cruise ship where four people have died to return home.
More than UK nationals have been left stranded after an outbreak of COVID – on the Zaandam cruise ship, which has been refused permission to dock in the US.
Four passengers have died on the cruise ship, including – year- old British man John Carter whose widow has been isolated and on her own since his death.
Mr Carter’s family have since pleaded with the and Florida authorities to allow the ship to dock.
In a White House briefing on Wednesday, Mr Trump confirmed plans to repatriate British passengers onboard the Zaandam and her sister ship the Rotterdam, which is carrying those without coronavirus
“We’re looking at the two ships,” he said.
“We have Canada notified. A lot of Canadians, a lot of British on the ship.
“They’re coming to take the people that are on the ship back to their homeland. Canada is coming. The UK is coming.
“We have some people who are quite sick and we’re taking care of that. I’m speaking to the governor about that a lot. It’s a tough situation. “
Mr Trump added: “You can understand you have people that are sick on those ships and states – they have enough problems right now – don’t want to take them. We have to from a humane standpoint.
“We don’t have a choice. I don’t want to do that but we have to. People are dying. “
Asked if the passengers would be allowed into the US, Mr Trump replied:” We’re going to do something.
“At a minimum we’re sending medical teams on board the ships. We’re taking the Canadians off and giving them to Canadian authorities. They’re going to take them back home. The same thing with the UK.
“We have to help the people. They’re in big trouble, no matter where they’re from. “
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