Charter Flights Scheduled for 30-31st "In Consultation with Chinese Authorities"
Temporary Shelter and Government Training Facilities Prioritized
Plan to Deliver 2 Million Masks, 100,000 Protective Suits and Goggles via Charter Flights
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] In response to the rapid increase in novel coronavirus infection cases, the government has decided to deploy four Korean Air charter flights over two days, on the 30th and 31st, to repatriate nationals staying in Wuhan, China. Additionally, the government is considering designating several public official training facilities as temporary shelters.
On the 28th, Lee Tae-ho, the 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated, "Following a meeting of relevant ministers chaired by the Prime Minister, it was decided to dispatch four charter flights to Wuhan to support the return of overseas Koreans and students currently staying there." The government plans to operate two charter flights per day and dispatch a rapid response team consisting of eight Foreign Ministry staff, including Vice Minister Lee Tae-ho.
The number of nationals wishing to return from Wuhan is approximately 700, and the charter flights to assist their return will operate over the two days of the 30th and 31st. Vice Minister Lee explained, "We have decided to send charter flights to Wuhan and are currently negotiating with the Chinese government. The specific dates may change depending on the outcome of these discussions."
This decision was made considering the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus originating in China, including the Chinese government's blockade of flights and public transportation in Wuhan and surrounding areas, and the saturation of local medical institutions, which makes it difficult to receive appropriate medical services.
Returning nationals will undergo quarantine by inspectors before boarding and, considering the 14-day incubation period, will be transported to public official training facilities designated by the government after arrival. Vice Minister Lee said, "Nationals returning via charter flights will undergo thorough quarantine by inspectors dispatched domestically. To prevent the spread of infection within the country, they will be placed under protective measures in temporary living facilities prepared by the government for a certain period according to relevant laws immediately upon return."
Meanwhile, the government plans to deliver medical relief supplies such as masks, protective suits, and goggles to China via the charter flights. Vice Minister Lee stated, "We plan to prioritize delivering 2 million masks, 100,000 protective suits, and 100,000 goggles to the Chinese side, and we are discussing additional support measures with the Chinese government. We expect this joint response to the health crisis to further strengthen the Korea-China friendship."
On the morning of the 28th, at Terminal 1 arrival hall of Incheon International Airport, people arriving from Shanghai, China, are being guided to submit health status questionnaires at the quarantine station. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency designated the entire China region as a quarantine target contaminated area in relation to the novel coronavirus and made quarantine and submission of health status questionnaires mandatory for all arrivals. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@
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