South African authorities say two citizens who initially tested positive for coronavirus “have now tested negative and will shortly be making their way home”.

The pair had been hospitalised in Japan after being taken ashore from the cruise ship they were working on.

The Diamond Princess vessel was first quarantined back in January when a passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong tested positive for coronavirus.

There are currently no confirmed coronavirus cases on South African soil.

South Africa’s government says it is at an “advanced stage” with its plan to bring its citizens back from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak.

“A total of 184 South Africans have indicated their desire to be repatriated,” it adds in a statement.

They are said to be mostly “students, teachers and other professionals”