Japanese govt gave 2,000 iPhones to passengers on Coronavirus-hit cruise

These iPhones come with pre-installed Line app, which will enable people on the cruise ship to accept drug requests and book an appointment with a doctor among other things.

Cruise ship (Pixabay)

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in association with the Ministry of Private Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, distributed about 2,000 iPhones to all the passengers and the cabin crew, on-board the Diamond Princess. As reported by Macotara, these iPhones come with pre-installed Line app, which will enable people on-board the cruise ship to accept drug requests, book an appointment with a doctor, discuss trauma with psychologists and consult a medical aid professional.

Apart from distributing the iPhones, the Japanese government also distributed user-manuals to the passengers on the Diamond Princess. This user manual is aimed at helping people understand how to use the Line app for seeking medical help.

 

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

Furthermore, 9To5Mac reports that the reason why the Japanese government is distributing iPhones to the people on-board the quarantined ship is because in the absence of these devices, many passengers would not be able to download the Line app on their iPhones and Android phones that are registered outside Japan.

On a separate note, Apple reopened its retail store in Shanghai last week after closing it down temporarily for about two weeks in wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. As per reports, the company opened its stores in Shanghai on February 15 and in Beijing on February 14 with reduced work hours.