The second chartered flight arranged by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to bring back the Hong Kong residents on board the Diamond Princess cruise arrived Hong Kong today (February 22) at around 1.40am.  

     Among the passengers on the flight were 82 Hong Kong residents and two Macao residents. The Macao Special Administrative Region Government has arranged a coach to pick up the two Macao residents directly at the Hong Kong International Airport and return Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

     Before the passengers alight the aircraft, medical officers of the Department of Health (DH) briefly explained the quarantine arrangement to them and checked their body temperature. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, they are transferred by coaches to the quarantine centre at Chun Yeung Estate for quarantine observation for 14 days. 

     Up to February 21, there were a total of 634 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise, of which 66 were Hong Kong residents. They are under treatment in Japan.

     As regards the close contacts of the confirmed cases, the DH has developed a protocol on disease prevention and risk management measures for taking them back to Hong Kong by a chartered flight. The DH is also making its best ndeavours to discuss with the airline on the practicable arrangements. The concerned persons must be tested with negative results on COVID-19 and are fit for travelling.

     Officers of the Immigration Department will stay in Japan to continue to provide practicable assistance to Hong Kong residents who are staying or receiving medical treatment there.

Ends/Saturday, February 22, 2020
Issued at HKT 3:32

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