Cruise evacuees quarantined
Will spend next 2 weeks at CFB Trenton
OTTAWA — At least 228 newly repatriated Canadian cruise ship passengers began a two-week quarantine at Canadian Forces Base Trenton Tuesday as some authorities turned their focus to the travel industry as they work to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
A government-chartered plane carrying Canadians from the Grand Princess cruise ship landed at the military base at about 6 a.m., though not all of the 237 Canadians from the ship were on board.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters that a “handful” of crew members tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, although he declined to give specific numbers.
“We have certain crew members, a very limited number of crew members, which tested positive which are Canadian on the ship and they will remain on the ship in accordance with the protocol that has been agreed with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and local and state authorities in the U.S.,” Champagne said.
Some other Canadians remained in California for health reasons unrelated to the virus, he said.
There were 3,500 passengers and crew aboard the
Grand Princess cruise ship. It docked Monday in Oakland after being forced to idle for days off the coast of northern California amid evidence it was the breeding ground for more than 20 COVID-19 cases.
Canada’s top doctor has urged Canadians to avoid all cruise travel, saying the confined quarters and frequent interactions can foster the spread of the illness.