Government to Charter Plane for Symptomatic Wuhan Returnees as Well (Comprehensive)

Symptomatic Individuals Initially Excluded from Boarding Also Transported
Isolated with Asymptomatic Persons...Transferred to Quarantine Ward After Entry

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is speaking at a meeting with heads of medical organizations regarding measures to respond to the novel coronavirus infection, held on the 29th at Dalgaebi in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the government deploys charter flights for Korean nationals staying in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which is under lockdown due to the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia), it will also transport symptomatic individuals who were initially excluded from boarding.

Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, told reporters before a meeting with leaders of six medical organizations near Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 29th, "Symptomatic individuals will also be boarded separately in isolation (on the plane)." The government had previously informed applicants that those with suspected symptoms such as a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher, vomiting, coughing, sore throat, or difficulty breathing would not be allowed to board and would be quarantined by the Chinese government in Wuhan.

◆ Isolation and Transport of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Individuals = The government plans to transport symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals on a plane with separated floors, seating them diagonally apart. Minister Park stated, "Seats will be arranged to prevent cross-infection between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, and even asymptomatic individuals may be in the incubation period, so adjacent and front/back seats will be left empty."

The charter flight transporting Korean nationals from Wuhan is equipped with air circulation and filtering systems, making cross-infection unlikely. Minister Park explained, "Even if bacteria are expelled through coughing or breathing inside the cabin, they are filtered, so the possibility of transmission to adjacent passengers is very low. Nevertheless, we will seat passengers diagonally and separate symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals on the first and second floors to prevent additional infections."

The government will first screen symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals through departure quarantine before boarding the charter flight. Quarantine officers dispatched domestically will check for fever and health status. Upon arrival, entry quarantine will be conducted at the quarantine station, where officers will again check for fever and health conditions as during departure quarantine.

Symptomatic individuals will be transferred immediately to isolation wards upon entry. Asymptomatic individuals will stay in temporary living facilities for two weeks. Minister Park said, "Medical staff will be present 24 hours a day at the temporary living facilities. The health status of asymptomatic individuals will be checked twice daily, and if any abnormalities are found, they will be immediately transferred to a hospital."

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo and leaders of major medical organizations are discussing measures to respond to the novel coronavirus infection on the 29th at Dalgaebi in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

◆ Transporting Symptomatic Individuals Despite Chinese Government Policy = This decision by the government prioritizes the protection of its citizens despite the Chinese government's movement restrictions. According to the Korean consulate in Wuhan, the Chinese government has notified that individuals with a fever of 37.3 degrees Celsius or higher cannot board aircraft and will be quarantined. A Ministry of Health and Welfare official stated, "We are currently coordinating with Chinese authorities and are considering isolated transport of symptomatic individuals on the plane." Jeong Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also said the previous day, "We are preparing detailed management plans to ensure the return of Korean nationals does not pose a threat to public health."

The government will deploy four charter flights over two days, from the 30th to the 31st, to repatriate about 700 Korean nationals. Two government training facilities in Korea will be selected to serve as protective facilities where asymptomatic returnees can stay for two weeks. Currently, Cheonan in Chungnam Province is being considered, but there is strong local opposition.