Bring us home, beg cruise ship passengers
British passengers trapped on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship last night begged to be sent home.
More than 140 holidaymakers from the UK have been quarantined on board the Grand Princess, which is being held off the coast of California, near San Francisco.
So far, 21 of 46 people tested were confirmed to have the virus and there are fearsrs it could become a second Diamondd Princess – the cruise whichh left 705 sick and claimed the life of the first British victim. ctim.
The son of a Scottish ottish family called on the he Government to step in.
Receptionist Norma orma Philip, 56, and her r offshore technician an husband Andrew, 58, are celebrating theireir silver wedding anniversarysary on the ship.
Son Lee, 30, of CCrossgates, tes, Fife, said: “They’ve spent three days in their cabin now w and are fed up being confined ed to their rooms.
“They were only on this cruise ise because they had cancelled one aboard the Diamond Princess.
“They can’t be left out at sea after what happened on that ship. The British authorities have to get involved to get them back.”
Sharon and Stephen Lane of Hinckley, Leicestershire, renewed their vows on the ship last Sunday for their 25th wedding anniversary.
Sharon, 58, said: “I’m concerned about the elderly on the ship as the majority are in their late 70s.
“We want the Government to ask and get us home quickly but we can’t see that happening.”
Nineteen of the 21 people who tested positive are crew members who have been serving guests.
Sharon said: “We are concerned that our cabins are not clean and I wash it down myself but our requests for disinfectant are being turned down.
“We asked for fresh towels and it took the staff three hours to get it to us. It’s really scary when room service deliver anything wearing masks and won’t speak to us.”
Lisa Egan, whose 90-year-old father is on board, called for the ship to be evacuated.
US president Donald Trump indicated he would abandon the passengers, saying: “I’d rather have them stay on.”