Coronavirus-Stricken Grand Princess Arrives At Port Of Oakland; Passenger Says ‘It Looks Like A War Zone’
March 9, 2020 at 11:19 am
OAKLAND (CBS SF) — The coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess made its way under the famed Golden Gate Bridge Monday, heading toward the Port of Oakland where the more than 2,000 passengers will disembark under heavy military security, undergo medical examinations and then be transported to 14-day quarantine sites at four bases across the country.
passengers wearing masks waved from the ship’s pool area to the helicopters hovering overhead as the Grand Princess neared the bridge, relieved their ill-fated journey was about to come to an end.
WATCH LIVE CONTINUING COVERAGE ON CBSN BAY Area: Grand Princess Arrives In Oakland; Passengers talk about ordeal aboard boat
“It’s been a nightmare the last few days,” Eddie Castellano, a passenger onboard from Miami, told KPIX 5 in the telephone interview. “But today, I’m feeling great. I’m feeling hopeful that we finally after all these days I’m going to be able to get off this ship.”
Looking out his window, Castellano said the dockside was filled with military personnel and ambulances.
“I see some military outside the ship right now,” he said. “I see a lot of military. I see a lot of ambulances… It looks like a war zone. I’m terrified. I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve never been through something like this in my life before…I’m worried about the 3,000 people on this boat and their health.”
Maureen James from San Mateo is also a passenger on the ship with her husband. She said the cheers of a crowd on the Golden Gate Bridge as the ship passed underneath made her feel like she’s finally returned home.
“One of the amazing things to me today was when we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge and the 100-plus people that were on the bridge cheering us on,” she said.
Then the dock workers and truck drivers at the massive Port of Oakland facility also gave the passengers a boisterous welcome.
“The people at the Oakland pier here, honking their horns and cheering us on,” she said. “You know it’s just a warm feeling — there are a few people out there that think why in my backyard. It is what it is. We went on a cruise, something unfortunate happened. They have to get us all off in a safe manner and get us tested to make sure we are okay.”
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https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2...s-golden-gate-bridge-sick-passengers-oakland/
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