'I'm really scared': Almonte couple aboard quarantined ship just wants to get home

An Almonte, Ont., couple aboard a quarantined cruise ship now at port in California say all they want is to get home to Canadaeven if it means further quarantine.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced Monday it's nowrecommending Canadians don't goon cruisesbecause of COVID-19.

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But the warning comes too late for Carol Ciavaglia, 68, and her husband, Lynn, 73. They're two of 237 Canadiansaboard the Grand Princess,which docked late Monday morning at Oakland, Calif., after being held off the coast for days.

Nineteen crew members and two passengers aboard the ship have so far tested positive for the respiratory illness.Passengers still don't know when they'll beallowed todisembark.

"I'm frustrated. But more than that, I'm scared. I'm really scared,"Carol Ciavagliasaid. "I don't know what's going to happen to us."

Almonte couple among Canadians quarantined on California cruise ship

5 years ago

Duration 1:09

Carol Ciavaglia describes what its like to be quarantined aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship, which was held off the coast of California for several days before docking in Oakland.

The two-week cruise, which was supposed to be abirthday celebration for Carol, sailed fromSan Francisco on Feb. 21 to Hawaii, returning to the California coast on Saturday. Passengers were confined to their rooms last week.

Ciavagliasaid staff wearing masks and rubber gloves drop off three meals a day outside their cabin door, and thecaptain has been giving passengers daily updates.

Ciavaglia said theyfeel fine, but they're worried about what could happen if one of them falls ill.

"Nobody wants to be separated from their spouse, and one spouse sent home and the other quarantined somewhere off the coast of California," she said. "I'll be thrilled as soon as they start disembarking."

Global Affairs sending plane

On Sunday, Global Affairs Canada sent Canadians aboard the ship an email saying it'sworking with U.S. authorities, the cruise lineand federal partners to co-ordinate disembarkation, and to repatriate passengers to Canadawhere they will undergo a 14-day quarantine at CFB Trenton.

• Canada to repatriate citizens on coronavirus-hit cruise ship in California

"We strongly urge you to return to Canada on this evacuation flight," the email reads.

But when that flight will leaveis still up in the air, and Ciavaglia wants details.

"Telling us they're sending a plane isn't the same as telling us, 'We're here,'" she said.

An eastern Ontario MP's parents are also tangled up in the quarantine.John and Assunta Gerretsen, the parents of Kingston and The Islands MP Mark Gerretsen, are also aboardthe ship.

Their son told CBCRadio's Ontario Todaythey don't appear to be showing symptoms of the illness, andare anxious to get off the ship and back home.

"They're in good spirits," Gerretsen said. "We're extremely grateful."