Canadian evacuees from China to be quarantined in Trenton
Posted February 2, 2020 5:20 pm.
Last Updated February 3, 2020 2:18 am.
OTTAWA – The federal government says Canadian evacuees from Wuhan will be quarantined as a protection measure for two weeks upon their arrival at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
But Ottawa did not provide a timeline for when they’ll arrive, saying it’s still awaiting final approval from Chinese authorities to land in the city locked down because of the new coronavirus.
“To our CAF Families: As the CAF helps Canadians returning from China, I want you to know that I have full confidence in the protocols & measures in place to safeguard CAF members & Canadians.” JV @CFOperations pic.twitter.com/uLd2G98NhP
— General / Général Wayne Eyre (@CDS_Canada_CEMD) February 3, 2020
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Sunday that the government has chartered a plane and will deploy once it gets authorization.
“Government officials and Canadian Armed Forces medical personnel are currently on their way to Hanoi and in the process of obtaining the necessary visas from the government of China to enter Wuhan,” the statement reads.
It details measures that will be taken once the evacuees return.
“To protect the health and safety of Canadians—both those who are coming to and those already in Canada—the returning individuals will undergo a thorough health screening before boarding, during the flight and upon arrival at CFB Trenton, Ontario,” the statement continues.
“The Government of Canada is working with provincial, territorial and local health authorities to support Canadians who may require further medical attention to be safely transferred to the health-care system upon their arrival. All other returning Canadians, including staff and flight crew, will remain at CFB Trenton for 14 days for further medical assessment and observation, and be provided with all the necessary medical and other supports as needed to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians.”
More than 300 people have sought the government’s help getting out of the epicentre of the new coronavirus.
The government hasn’t said how many people it will be able to accommodate at CFB Trenton.
