Wolverhampton woman stuck on coronavirus cruise ship expected to be flown home
A pensioner from Wolverhampton who was stuck on a coronavirus-stricken cruise liner is expected to be flown home after the ship docks in Florida.
The Zaandam, and its sister ship the Rotterdam, were off the coast of Florida on Thursday morning.
Passengers, including around 200 Britons, have suffered a two-week ordeal after coronavirus spread throughout the Zaandam.
Healthy passengers, including 72-year-old Judith Glover from Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, have been transferred to the Rotterdam.
President Donald Trump has said the ships will be allowed to dock at Fort Lauderdale and the passengers evacuated by US authorities, following initial reluctance from state leaders about whether they should be let in.
Speaking to the Express & Star from the Rotterdam, Ms Glover said she hoped to leave on a plane to the UK tomorrow.
She said: "We have to undergo health screening and immigration checks off ship today in groups then return to cabins.
"All being well should leave tomorrow night by charter flight, presumably to Heathrow."
The ships, operated by Holland America, were turned away by several South American countries after illness broke out on board. No-one has been on dry land since March 14 in Chile and passengers have been largely confined to their cabins.
Mr Trump said non-US citizens would be sent home, but it is unclear how long the repatriation process will take.
He said on Wednesday: "We're taking the Canadians off and giving them to Canadian authorities.
"Same thing with the UK. But we have to help the people. They're in big trouble."
About 1,200 passengers who are not ill, including Ms Glover, would be sent home on charter planes. Holland America said they would be "transported in coaches that will be sanitised, with limited person-to-person contact and while wearing masks".
Four passengers have died, including a 75-year-old man from Britain. Nine people on board have tested positive for Covid-19 and 189 are reporting flu-like symptoms.
Ms Glover was left isolated in her cabin with meals left outside following the outbreak, until being moved to the Rotterdam.
She said she was "upset" when she heard fellow passengers had died.
Her daughter Helen White said it was "such a difficult time for the whole family".
Ms Glover, however, said conditions were "excellent" aboard the Rotterdam but that she was confined to a cabin with a balcony.
