San Francisco (AFP)
The more than 2,000 passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship, who have been waiting since last week to land in California after cases of coronavirus were detected on board, should finally find dry land in Oakland on Monday during an operation " unprecedented, "authorities said.
The Grand Princess, which transported 3,500 passengers and crew members to Hawaii, has been maintained since Wednesday off the coast of California, about forty kilometers, as a precaution.
Suspicious cases of Covid-19 (two passengers and 19 crew members) were detected on board after the death in California of a passenger who had participated in part of the cruise.
"We have just learned that we are going to land in the port of Oakland" in San Francisco Bay, tweeted one of the passengers on board, Debra Healer.
"As we live in California, we will be taken to a federal state facility for testing," she added.
The Americans will remain in quarantine while foreigners will be returned to their country of origin.
Tents and portable toilets have been installed in the wharf.
No details on the Monday landing schedule had been released by the authorities. According to the specialized Cruisin site, around 8 a.m. local time (3 p.m. GMT), the ship seemed to be approaching San Francisco.
"The landing will start in order of priority, as defined by local and state authorities," the company Princess Cruises said in a statement.
"The Coast Guard will send teams to assist California health departments with medical triage, screening and maintenance, to define who needs priority care. To avoid delays, tests will be conducted when guests arrive at their next destination, "she added.
Photos taken by AFP on Sunday showed passengers taking to the air on the balcony of their cabin.
Margaret Bartlett, a 77-year-old Briton, told the BBC that when confined to her balconyless room, she went "crazy".
"The food is rotten and rubbish, and we have to fight for it," she said.
The ship has 2,383 passengers. The 1,100 crew members will remain in quarantine on the liner, which "will leave Oakland as soon as possible".
© 2020 AFP