Georgia

Coronavirus: 34 Georgians aboard Grand Princess cruise ship, to be transferred to military base

GEORGIA — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that he has learned 34 Georgians and are currently on the Grand Princess cruise ship off the California coast. They will be securely transferred to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga., according to Kemp.

He added that these passengers will undergo testing and be quarantined for possible exposure to COVID-19. They are expected to arrive at Dobbins late Monday or early Tuesday.

Statement from Governor Kemp:

"I am confident that Dobbins is equipped to provide high-quality care for Americans in need while keeping Georgia families safe, and our state stands ready to assist our federal partners if requested. In the days and weeks ahead, I encourage Georgians to pray for the patients affected by COVID-19 and their healthcare providers. We must continue to support one another, trust the advice of the medical community, and remain vigilant.

My office remains in constant communication with the Trump Administration, lawmakers, and state and local officials to ensure the health and safety of families across Georgia and our country. We will continue to provide updates as soon as they become available.”

State Department advises against cruising

Update 6 p.m.: The U.S. Department of State announced Sunday travelers with underlying health conditions should not travel by cruise ship.

“CDC notes that older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships. Passengers with plans to travel by cruise ship should contact their cruise line companies directly for further information and continue to monitor the Travel.state.gov website and see the latest information from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/index.html.” the announcement said.


Lindsey Nolen

Lindsey Nolen

Lindsey Nolen is a Digital Content Producer for Action News Jax