2,000 iPhones Given To People Stuck on Cruise Ship, Where More Than 300 Coronavirus Cases Confirmed!

Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus across the world, the Japanese government has distributed nearly 2,000 free iPhone to passengers on a cruise ship. This ship seems to have been hit by a coronavirus and has been quarantined since then. 

The cruise ship named-Diamond Princess currently has around 3,700 people on board. According to Gadget NDTV report, iPhone handsets were distributed to passengers and crew of the ship so that stranded passengers get in touch with medical professionals, book an appointment, accept drug requests, and discuss the trauma with psychologists. 

This cruise ship has currently become the talk of the town after more than 350 passengers aboard the ship tested positive for coronavirus.

Meanwhile, reputed Japanese website Macotakara stated that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has provided 2,000 iPhones to passengers and crew aboard the quarantined ship. 

These iPhones come with the Line app pre-installed and it will serve as the connection channel for passengers with medical experts in Japan. The government body has ensured that every cabin has at least one iPhone to help them connect and remain updated via the Line app.

The real reason for giving out iPhones to the passengers is because phones with App Store or Google Play Store registered outside Japan might not be able to download the Line app, the website Macotakara further reported.

The quarantine imposed on Diamond Princess cruise ship will only end on February 19.  

今回、#ダイヤモンドプリンセス号 の乗客の皆様へ、厚労省、SB社、LINE社の連携の下、LINEを入れたiPhoneを2000台をご提供させていただきました

LINE経由での乗客への情報を提供を実現し、さらに心理カウンセラー、医師へのオンライン相談が可能となりました

※写真は有志たち#新型コロナウィルス pic.twitter.com/o9n8o9WSix

— 舛田 淳（Masuda Jun）／LINE (@masujun) February 14, 2020

Every cabin gets an iPhone preloaded with an app to deal with medication needs, mental health consultations, and medical appointments. Also provides internet access to all. Courtesy the Japan's Ministry of Health etc. pic.twitter.com/6n6Dgksouq

— Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 14, 2020

More coaches. And it appears there are tables under the blue canopies, perhaps for processing the departing Americans out of Japan immigration. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/qDEjkWiBTu

— Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 16, 2020