Ukrainians from Diamond Princess want to undergo quarantine in Japan - Foreign Ministry

25.02.2020 13:05

Ukrinform

Almost all Ukrainians on the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship that stays near the port of Yokohama, have not stated their intention to return to Ukraine in the near future and plan to undergo quarantine in Japan, Director of the Consular Service Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Serhiy Pohoreltsev has told Ukrinform.

"The Embassy of Ukraine in Japan surveyed all of our compatriots about their desire to be repatriated to Ukraine. According to the diplomatic institution, as of February 22, 24 of the 25 interviewed Ukrainians (one failed to get into contact) did not express their intention to return to Ukraine within the next few days and therefore plan to undergo quarantine in Japan," he said.

Pohoreltsev said that two Ukrainian citizens who were diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus continue to stay in Tokyo's hospitals and their health is improving.

He said that the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan is in contact with Ukrainian citizens staying aboard the cruise ship and in hospitals and maintains constant contact with all concerned services to resolve potential problems of compatriots.

In early February, the Diamond Princess cruise ship was stopped for quarantine near Yokohama. More than 3,700 people were on board the vessel. Among them are 25 Ukrainians who are crew members. Two Ukrainians tested positive for novel coronavirus.

The quarantine was lifted on February 19, and Diamond Princess passengers with negative coronavirus test results and no symptoms began to go ashore.