More coronavirus evacuees coming to San Antonio base

For the second time since the start of the Novel coronavirus outbreak in China, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is being called on to quarantine American evacuees from Asia. This time it is passengers stranded on a cruise liner in Yokohama, Japan, who are to be flown here.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo sent an email to American passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship saying that a chartered flight will arrive today for those who want to return to the United States. The evacuees will follow a similar procedure of those Americans brought home earlier from China. They will first be flown to Travis AFB in California and some will then be flown to quarantine at Lackland AFB.

The exact number of evacuees that will be quarantined at Lackland and when they will arrive is still being determined, said Scott Pauley, a spokesman from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Buses will move Americans and their belongings from the ship to the chartered plane, and the evacuees will be screened for symptoms before boarding, the email read. “We recognize this has been a stressful experience, and we remain dedicated to providing all the support we can and seeing you safely and expeditiously reunited with family and friends in the United States.”

Pauley said the time of arrival of the passengers is still being determined, based on the number of evacuees and how long the screening process takes.

Currently, passengers aboard the cruise ship are being monitored for symptoms of the virus, including a fever. If anyone shows signs of the illness, they will be taken to a hospital. This will continue through out their process back to the United States.

“The passengers will be screened before leaving the ship and monitored and evaluated by medical and public health personnel every step of the way, including before takeoff, during the flight, and after arrival,” the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services said in a joint statement Saturday. “U.S. Government staff will conduct risk assessments to ensure the health of each traveler, including temperature checks and observation for respiratory symptoms.”

Some evacuees will be quarantined at Travis AFB while others will be taken Lackland, where they will again be screened.