Quarantined ship passengers to be released in San Antonio

American passengers evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan disembark from a Kalitta Air flight at Kelly Field, early Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. The U.S. said it arranged the evacuation because people on the Diamond Princess were at a high risk of exposure to the new virus that’s been spreading in Asia. For the departing Americans, the evacuation cuts short a 14-day quarantine that began aboard the cruise ship Feb. 5. (William Luther /The San Antonio Express-News via AP)

by: The Associated Press

Posted: Mar 3, 2020 / 11:45 AM CST

Updated: Mar 3, 2020 / 11:45 AM CST

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — More than 120 passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship are set to be released from quarantine in San Antonio.

The release is scheduled for Tuesday, a day after city leaders declared a public health emergency and sought to delay the process so more patient testing for the new coronavirus could be done.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg says only passengers who were symptom-free for the entire 14-day quarantine period will be released.

The passengers will be taken by bus from Lackland Air Force Base directly to the airport.