Japan will allow elderly passengers on a quarantined cruise liner who test negative for the coronavirus to disembark.
The health minister made the announcement on Thursday as another 44 new cases were confirmed aboard the ship.
The health minister said elderly passengers who have pre-existing conditions will be allowed to disembark.
Elderly passengers in windowless rooms will also be allowed to leave starting from Friday.
The original exit date was scheduled for Feb.
19.
The passengers will now complete their quarantine ashore.
The number of those infected on the cruise ship is now 218, with 3,500 people still on board.