After two weeks in Japan: Israelis from Corona Ship will land at Ben Gurion Airport and be isolated

The 11 Israelis living in isolation on the Diamond Princess ship will land in Israel after no corona virus traces were found in their bodies. After landing at Ben Gurion Airport, they will be transported by special MDA vehicle to the isolation compound set up for them in Sheba Hospital. 4 other Israelis infected with the virus remained in Japan for medical treatment

After two weeks in Japan: Israelis from Corona Ship will land at Ben Gurion Airport and be isolated

The 11 Israelis who spent the last two weeks in isolation on the Diamond Princess ship in Japan will land in Israel tonight (Friday) after no traces of the corona virus were found in their bodies. They will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport at three-thirty, get off the plane for a special Star of David vehicle prepared for the mission, and travel to the isolation compound prepared for them at Sheba Medical Center - where they will stay for the next two weeks. Four other Israelis also staying on Diamond Princess and found to have been infected with the virus remain in Japan In order to receive medical treatment, at the end of the treatment, they will be able to return to Israel independently and not enter isolation.

The special complex in Sheba has 12 separate rooms equipped with a bed, a TV screen, a desk, advanced technological means for medical examinations and services, and a shower with separate sewers from the hospital. Patients should be banned from meeting each other except the couple who came with them. They will be able to talk to each other and their families through a special means brought to their rooms for this purpose and through which they can also talk to the medical staff. As a general rule, as long as they do not need much-needed medical help - they will not come in contact with the doctors and nurses who are in charge of the compound. Their beds are equipped with sensors that constantly monitor their gauges, will have a lung, ear and heart independent device available - and the camera in their room will show their situation in the control room if needed.

More in Walla! NEWS

Ten Israelis on the plane on their way to Israel (Photo: Israel Embassy in Japan)

The plane with Israeli passengers from Diamond Princess took off from Japan towards Israel, February 20, 2020 (Photo: Israel Embassy in Japan, official website)

They will be brought to the compound by a special MDA team trained for this purpose, in a special shuttle vehicle. The paramedics will in fact be the first to come in contact with the Israelis, so special emphasis has been placed on the safeguards required for them. In a conversation held this week with Walla! NEWS they shared that They are excited to take part in the mission, making it clear that they are not afraid of getting infected with the virus.

"We know how to prepare and respond to any such event. We are aware of the defense. We did a refresh today on how exactly we are doing it," said paramedic Snir Feinstein. "In the end, it is our safety and our family members that we need to keep. I have no fear. I am confident in my organization that can protect me properly. I know and believe that this organization is behind me and that I have nothing to fear and what to fear."

Public pressure worked

Throughout the isolation period, passenger families complained that the State of Israel was abandoning their relatives on the ship, which they called "incubation" for the Corona virus - which was spreading daily to dozens of other passengers. After a few days of public struggle, the Ministry of Health sent Deputy Director-General Prof. Itamar Grotto to work in direct contact with medical officials in Japan to expedite the release of Israelis. Later he was sent to an infection specialist who accompanied the Israelis infected with the virus.

During their stay on board, passengers were prohibited from leaving their rooms except for one hour per day, in which they were allowed to leave the open air. A few days ago, it was decided in coordination with Japanese officials to bring Israelis back to Israel in order to continue their isolation in Israel, after which they were taken off the ship yesterday morning and taken to the airport in Tokyo, where they were waiting for an executive plane leased for the mission by passenger insurance companies.

The first team to come in contact with Israelis from the Corona ship: "Not afraid of infection"

Removing Passengers from the Diamond Princess Ship on the Japanese Coast after Staying in Isolation Following the Corona Virus - February 20, 2020

Removing passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Japan's coast after staying in isolation following the Corona virus - February 20, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

The cruise that the 14 Israelis booked had to take only 21 days, but extended to 35 days. In addition, thousands of passengers from 12 foreign countries were on the ship, more than 620 of whom were infected with the virus. Yesterday the first two deaths of Japanese tourists happened to be on the ship. Ilan Ben David, Nicole's husband who was on the ship, spoke to Walla! NEWS on preparations for her return. "They were on 21 Cruise Days, 14 days in closure and now another 14 days in isolation. We tried to look strong, that everything is fine with us so they can be encouraged." He added that "We sent letters, sent pictures from home, videos and laughs and all sorts of other things." He said, "They have been strengthened and very well connected with the family that runs the Chabad House in Tokyo and with the charming businessman Eric Amsalem, who ties in with the family and provided them with all the necessary needs."

Special focus and paramedic to home: The Corona Healthcare Diagnostic Program in Corona

MDA team prepares to take Israelis off the ship (Photo: MDA spokeswoman)

MDA teams are preparing to evacuate Israelis who will land in Israel from the Corona ship "Diamond Princess". February 19, 2020 (Photo: MDA spokeswoman, official website)

Despite the return of Israelis to Israel, their families will have to wait until the end of the isolation period so that they can embrace them. "We were asked to make new suitcases for them. The old ones will be cleansed. In the new suitcases we put treats, letters and pictures and objects that will allow them to pass the land," Ilan said. According to him, returnees from Japan are important to cooperate in the isolation process so that they are not labeled as those who brought the Corona to Israel.