The Canadian government announced it has secured a plane to repatriate Canadians on board the Grand Princess cruise ship off the west coast of the United States following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus on the ship.

According to a press release, the decision to repatriate Canadians aboard the ship came after a request for assistance from the Government of the United States.

“Given our shared border, Canada recognizes the importance of working together with the United States to limit the spread of COVID-19 within North America and beyond,” states the press release.

The 237 Canadian passengers are set to be screened for symptoms before boarding the plane. Those that test positive will not be permitted to board the plane and will instead “be further assessed to determine next steps,” the release states.

The plane is set to bring passengers from San Francisco to the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ont., where they will be assessed and quarantined for 14 days.

So far, there have been 21 reported cases of COVID-19 on board the ship. There are 3,533 people aboard the ship, including 2,422 passengers and 1,111 crew from 54 countries.

“Protecting the health of all citizens is our priority, and we are bringing Canadians home because of the number of cases on the Grand Princess. We continue to work with international partners, including the United States, to limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health.

Three of Canada’s 60 confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 were among passengers who were aboard the same ship from Feb. 11 to 21 during a cruise that began and ended in San Francisco.

In Peel Region just west of Toronto, a couple who had been on the Grand Princess was diagnosed after returning home to Mississauga, Ont.

Peel Public Health is asking passengers in rows 18 to 22 on WestJet Flight 1199 on Feb. 28 to self-isolate, but says the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

With files from The Canadian Press