Opposing view: We're not planning new evacuations

❚ We are in close communication with Japanese authorities, and with Carnival Cruise Line, and are providing all appropriate consular assistance to U. S. citizens on board the Diamond Princess.

❚ We are aware of 428 U. S. citizens originally on the ship. According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, multiple U. S. passengers have tested positive for coronavirus and have been transported to local hospitals for treatment.

❚ Once the passengers on the Diamond Princess finish their 14- day quarantine period, they will be permitted to depart Japan on commercial flights, which are readily available, and will not be subject to additional quarantine upon return to the United States.

❚ U. S. Embassy Tokyo consular officers are visiting Americans who have been hospitalized.

❚ Due to privacy considerations, we are not going to get into specific cases. Speaking generally, the U. S. Embassy is closely coordinating with relevant authorities within the government of Japan, and with the cruise line, to ensure U. S. citizens aboard the ship, and their families, remain informed.

❚ The government of Japan continues to accelerate the delivery of medication for individuals with chronic medical issues to the Diamond Princess and to increase medical support for the passengers.

❚ A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiologist has arrived in Tokyo to assist the embassy with support for Americans aboard.

❚ We are providing assistance to U. S. passengers as needed. For example, if someone runs low on prescription medication but is quarantined on the ship, we will coordinate with relevant authorities to the best of our ability to ensure the U. S. citizen is able to get the medication they need.

❚ The U. S. Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide assistance as the situation develops. The embassy launched an “Updates on Diamond Princess Quarantine” webpage with links to key information on CDC guidance and how U. S. citizens can contact the embassy.

❚ We are also providing regular updates on social media, and U. S. citizens on board the ship, or their families, can contact us at a dedicated email address ( USGshipcontact@ state. gov).

❚ We have consulted with the CDC, and current medical consensus and protocols state that the safest and most reliable way to prevent further spread of viral infections on cruise ships is for passengers to shelter in place, as the passengers of the Diamond Princess are doing.

❚ We believe the Japanese authorities and the cruise line are working hard to keep all passengers — and the public — safe. We understand that the cruise line is providing food and other provisions to the passengers on board the ship, and we are in direct contact with passengers who might require additional assistance. We ask passengers on board for their patience and understanding and to fully cooperate with and follow the instructions of global medical authorities and the Japanese government.

❚ We remain in close contact with relevant authorities. We do not anticipate staging any new evacuation efforts at this time.

❚ Our guidance to U. S. citizen passengers on board cruise ships will continue to be based on the advice of medical and health care professionals.