US to Evacuate Citizens from Wuhan by Charter Flight on 28th

Charter Flight Scheduled for One Plane
Not All Applicants Can Board
Quarantine Expected Upon Return... Cases of Boarding Refusal Due to Infection Risk Also Emerging

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is visiting a hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, on the 27th to encourage medical staff. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. government will operate a charter flight on the 28th to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, China, where the novel coronavirus has broken out, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 27th (local time).

According to WSJ, the charter flight is scheduled to arrive in Wuhan on the 28th, board about 230 Americans and diplomats, and then immediately depart for Ontario near Los Angeles. It was initially expected to head to San Francisco, but a San Francisco airport official only stated that "the arrival location has been changed."

Although a charter flight has been arranged, many complaints are pouring in. Since there is only one charter flight, it cannot accommodate everyone who wishes to evacuate. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing received numerous calls from those hoping to evacuate, but not everyone could secure a seat on the charter flight.

Even if a seat is secured, problems remain. With public transportation in Wuhan cut off, there is no means of transportation to the airport. Those married to Chinese nationals cannot board the charter flight with their spouses, putting them in a difficult situation.

Some people are refusing to board the charter flight and choosing to stay in Wuhan, expressing anxiety about flying with individuals who might be virus carriers.

Passengers expect to be quarantined upon arrival in the U.S., but the State Department told WSJ that quarantine measures have not been confirmed.

Meanwhile, according to CNN, the number of people tested for the possibility of Wuhan pneumonia infection in the U.S. has reached 110. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that 110 people from 26 states were tested for the novel coronavirus on that day, with 5 confirmed cases and 32 negative results. Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases explained, "The number of people tested for Wuhan pneumonia infection will increase, but the likelihood of the disease spreading within the U.S. is low."