US and France Close Consulates Due to Wuhan Pneumonia Spread... Evacuation Orders for Their Nationals (Comprehensive)

As of the 26th, 2,076 confirmed cases and 56 deaths reported

Consulates in the US, France, Australia, and others closed

Evacuation plans for nationals under review

▲A quiet bus terminal with no passengers as Beijing, China, suspends long-distance bus services heading out of the city [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As the number of confirmed 'Wuhan pneumonia' cases in China nears 2,100, the US, France, and others have begun procedures to evacuate their nationals residing in China.

AFP reported on the 26th (local time) that the US State Department sent emails to its nationals staying in Wuhan, stating that a charter flight carrying consulate staff and others will depart from Wuhan, China to San Francisco, USA on the 28th of this month.

As of the 26th, there have been 2,076 confirmed cases of 'Wuhan pneumonia' across Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. The death toll stands at 56. The number of deaths surged rapidly from 41 on the 24th to 56 on the 25th, an increase of 15 in just one day.

However, it is known that the charter flight does not have enough seats to accommodate all civilians.

The State Department stated, "Seats are extremely limited and we cannot transport everyone who has expressed interest," adding, "Priority will be given to those at high risk of easily contracting the rapidly spreading coronavirus."

The US government has also reportedly closed its consulate in Wuhan. CNN reported that the US consulate in Wuhan has shut down and that a charter flight contract has been signed to evacuate about 30 diplomats and their families.

France, Australia, and others are also working hard to evacuate their nationals. The French Consulate General in Wuhan is reportedly considering transporting its nationals residing locally by bus to Changsha City in the neighboring Hunan Province, according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP).

French automobile manufacturer PSA Group also announced on the 25th that it is considering evacuating 38 employees and their families working in Wuhan.

The French Foreign Minister said, "We are consulting with Chinese authorities to find the best option to allow French nationals to leave Wuhan."

Australia is also reviewing plans to evacuate its nationals staying in Wuhan, and British diplomats are reportedly arranging their own transportation to leave Wuhan.

Outside China, confirmed cases of Wuhan pneumonia are also increasing. Thailand has 8 cases; Singapore, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia each have 4; South Korea, the US, and France each have 3; Vietnam, Finland, and Italy each have 2; and Nepal and Canada each have 1 case.