SoftBank-LINE Collaboration
2,000 iPhones with LINE App Distributed Free
"Consult with Doctors via iPhone Until Disembarkation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] The Japanese government has distributed 2,000 iPhones pre-installed with the Naver LINE app free of charge to passengers of the large cruise ship "Diamond Princess." This measure aims to allow passengers to consult with doctors via iPhones amid the ongoing COVID-19 cluster infection situation.
According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 14th, SoftBank and LINE collaborated at the request of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to distribute 2,000 iPhones to the passengers. The distributed iPhones have the LINE app installed and dedicated accounts registered.
The newspaper explained, "Passengers can contact pharmacists or doctors through the dedicated accounts and have phone consultations with experts." Since passengers are extremely anxious, psychological counseling is also made available. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated that passengers will be allowed to use the iPhones freely until they disembark from the ship.
There are about 3,400 people on board the "Diamond Princess," where a large number of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed. So far, 218 passengers have been confirmed infected with COVID-19. As dissatisfaction grew over the increasing number of confirmed cases in the confined and enclosed space, the Japanese government eventually allowed some elderly passengers aged 80 and above to disembark. On that day, 11 passengers were reported to have disembarked.
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