KLANG: Malaysia will repatriate its citizens from the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) focal point of Wuhan, China, tomorrow.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, however, said only those who pass the exit screening set by the Chinese government at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport would be evacuated.
She said so far, 132 people, comprising 108 Malaysians and 24 non-citizens (spouses/children) were registered with the Malaysian Embassy to be repatriated from Wuhan.
“Only those deemed fit and healthy will be allowed to board the plane after undergoing an exit screening set by the Chinese Government,” she told reporters after attending the Hokkien Klang Association Chinese New Year celebration.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is the central disaster management committee chairman, said an Air Asia flight with a crew of 12 would be utilised for the mission.
“AirAsia has set the flight date on Feb 3, subject to the approval of the Government of China. The flight will also carry the necessary supplies such as masks, gloves and food subject to a list approved by the Chinese Government.
“The mission is expected to be accompanied by eight officers from the Health Ministry, one from Nadma (National Disaster Management Agency) and one from the Foreign Ministry.”
She said the Health Minister and Health director-general have been briefed by Nadma director-general at klia2 this morning on the humanitarian mission of bringing Malaysians back from China following the outbreak.
“I have met the officials who will be participating in this mission including the flight crew to thank them on behalf of the government and Malaysians, including the family members of those affected, for their sacrifices to help bring Malaysians back home from Wuhan.
“I have also advised them to take care of their welfare and health as well as of the Malaysians who will be brought home.”
Dr Wan Azizah also visited the Air Disaster Center (ADU) where all passengers, mission officials and crew members will undergo health screening upon their return.
Those diagnosed with symptoms of the virus, she said, will be taken to the hospital, while those who pass the screening will be taken by bus to the Monitoring Centre for monitoring purposes.
“Medical supplies and other necessary preparations have been made to carry out medical examinations.”
She also visited the Monitoring Centre to review the operation rooms, lodges and other facilities in place for all 158 passengers (eight Malaysian mission officers, 12 flight crews and six officers from the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing) for a 14-day monitoring.
“Overall, I am satisfied with the preparations in place,” she said in extending her thanks to the Health Ministry, Air Asia, Social Welfare Department, Malaysia Airport, Fire and Rescue Department, Police, Immigration Department, Nadma and other agencies involved.
“Nadma and other agencies are overseeing this mission. Let us Malaysians pray for this mission to go well and all those who are brought home from Wuhan will be safe."
As of today there have been no further positive 2019-nCoV cases. The cumulative number of reported 2019-nCoV positive cases remains at eight.
The total cumulative number of Patient Under Investigation (PUI) is 183 and 18 are awaiting laboratory results. Close contacts to the 2019-nCoV positive cases remain 32 people.
Dr Wan Azizah said the Health Ministry will continue to monitor the progress of this infection through information obtained from the World Health Organisation.
People will be kept up to date on the latest developments. Contact the ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) infoline at 03-8881 0200/600/700 or email cprc@moh.gov.my for information on the 2019-nCoV infection.
On Saturday, the NST reported that the government has been granted permission by the Chinese authorities to evacuate Malaysians in Wuhan and areas in Hubei province following the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
There are about 35,000 Malaysians living in China, 25,000 in Hong Kong and 2,500 in Beijing.