South African cruise workers cleared of coronavirus

Two South African nationals working aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested negative for coronavirus and will be allowed to return home, officials say.

The pair had been hospitalised in Japan after initially testing positive for the virus while aboard the ship.

The Diamond Princess was first quarantined in January when a passenger who disembarked at Hong Kong tested positive for the virus. 

The South African government says it is currently at an “advanced stage” in its plans to bring back citizens from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak. 

“A total of 184 South Africans have indicated their desire to be repatriated”, a government spokesperson said. The stranded citizens are believed to be mostly “students, teachers and other professionals”. 

There are currently no confirmed cases of coronavirus in South Africa itself. 

Photo: AFP