Government charters plane to bring 237 Canadians aboard virus-stricken cruise ship to CFB Trenton
Posted March 8, 2020 2:20 pm.
Last Updated March 9, 2020 5:02 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Ottawa says it has chartered a plane to bring home Canadians stranded on the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canada made the decision after the U.S. government asked for help.
The Government of Canada will be repatriating Canadians aboard the #GrandPrincess.
Here is our news release: pic.twitter.com/ZuZA3WiXhl
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC)(@FP_Champagne) March 8, 2020
“Given our shared border, Canada recognizes the importance of working together with the United States to limit the spread of COVID-19 within North America and beyond,” says a statement from Global Affairs Canada.
The ship is carrying 3,500 people, including 237 Canadians, and it’s expected to dock in Oakland, Calif., tomorrow.
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence announced Friday that at least 21 people aboard the ship, including 19 crew members, have tested positive for the virus
The chartered plane will bring passengers from San Francisco to Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario.
“Passengers will be screened for symptoms before boarding the plane. If they exhibit symptoms, they will not be permitted to board and will instead be further assessed to determine next steps,” according to Global Affairs.
From there, they’ll be assessed and will undergo a 14-day quarantine.
“The extent and frequency of interaction amongst cruise passengers and the close quarters found on most cruise ships presents a unique environment where COVID-19 can easily spread. To ensure the health and safety of Canadians, passengers from the Grand Princess will be quarantined upon their return to Canada,” the statement explains.
No date for the flight has been announced.
