Coronavirus: after weeks of waiting, 244 Hong Kong residents return from outbreak epicentre
- Two flights arranged by the government land in the city and waiting coaches take passengers to Fo Tan quarantine facility
- In total, about 500 residents are being evacuated from Wuhan this week, but more than 3,000 others remain stuck in Hubei province, with their fate unclear
A total of 244 Hong Kong residents evacuated from the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China landed back home on Wednesday and were sent to the quarantine facility at Fo Tan for a two-week lockdown.
They arrived aboard two government-chartered Cathay Pacific flights from Wuhan in Hubei province, with the first group touching down at Hong Kong International Airport just after 5pm and the second batch shortly before 10pm.
Wearing masks and protective gowns, they boarded coaches waiting on the tarmac, with no more than 20 people to each vehicle, which drove them to the Chun Yeung Estate quarantine facility.
Nip said 14 Hongkongers invited to return on Wednesday remained in Hubei. Nine had changed their minds, three failed a body temperature test and one decided to stay behind to accompany one of those refused permission to board. A pregnant woman opted to instead return on Thursday.
Speaking after his return to Hong Kong, Nip said: “The people who failed the temperature test were sent back to their communities for isolation ... We will plan further operations, but our top priority is to bring residents back to Hong Kong in an orderly and safe manner.”