Germany to evacuate over 1000 nationals from cruise ship in Cape Town

The 1700 passengers and crew have not been able to disembark the cruise liner since Monday, following the discovery that some of the passengers had come into contact with someone who showed symptoms of the coronavirus.

Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Ayanda Allie Paine, says the German government dispatched four chartered aircraft for the rescue.

Allie Paine adds that the four chartered aircraft will not have inbound passengers and only crew onboard.

"The crew will not be permitted to disembark the plane but will await the arrival of the German nationals who will be escorted from the AIDAmira and onto the plane.

"The timelines will be confirmed by the German embassy; however, the planes' permit numbers have already been issued," says Allie Paine.

She adds that all the passengers have since tested negative for COVID-19.