Cruise ship evacuees petition for right to drink booze in coronavirus quarantine

THIRSTY Diamond Princess passengers being quarantined at the former Inpex camp in Howard Springs have started a petition to be provided with booze during their coronavirus isolation

Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Howard Springs for two weeks in quarantine after evacuating the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship moored in Japan. Picture: Che Chorley

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THIRSTY Diamond Princess passengers kept in quarantine at the Howard Springs workers camp have petitioned health staff for the right to drink during their coronavirus isolation.

One of the only Territorian evacuees told the NT News the dry state of the camp had caused much angst among evacuees.

He described his quarantine at Howard Springs as “just like being on a holiday”, with the exception of not being able to have a cold one.

“There’s only 1 per cent of whingers,” he said.

“One lady went around even with a petition. If you can’t go two weeks without a beer, you’ve probably got a problem as far as I’m concerned.”

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A Department of Health spokesman said alcohol was banned to ensure quarantine conditions were followed.

“The quarantine facility has been deemed alcohol-free in line with best practice as alcohol impairs judgment and could compromise people’s adherence to strict quarantine conditions, including the use of personal protective equipment,” he said.

The Diamond Princess attracted worldwide attention as the coronavirus epidemic unfolded.

The passenger said professional staff made the experience tolerable.

“Through the whole period everyone wanted our safety first. Safety was our top priority and I never once felt threatened or scared,” he said.

“What really, really stood out was the way the whole cruise ship, passengers and crew, just banded together and did everything by the book.

“The captain deserves a medal and so does the cruise line.”

He said his experience in Darwin was equally good.

“When we landed in Darwin, nobody knew about this, but the captain made an announcement that the immigration, border control, all the nurses, doctors, even the Qantas crew all volunteered to get us home,” he said.

“And that touched everyone. The whole plane cheered and roared, that’s when it was quite emotional.”

On Monday two passengers, who were tested after presenting symptoms, returned negative results.

Seven passengers have tested positive for coronavirus, including two Victorians and three Queenslanders, one South Australian and one Western Australian.

All have been repatriated to their home states.

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NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said today that her advice was that screenings of more evacuees had taken place on Sunday and Monday and no further cases have since tested positive.