South Africans to be evacuated from China all healthy, assures Mkhize
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has given an assurance that the South Africans set to be evacuated from Wuhan city in China have not tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus).
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a directive for the evacuation process to begin with immediate effect following pleas from family members.
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Mkhize led a media briefing by the inter-ministerial committee tasked with the process in Johannesburg on Sunday.
He said the government has been able to confirm that 201 South Africans are living in Wuhan. A total of 151 have indicated they want to come home, although the number may increase.
"It is important to highlight that all the South Africans who will be evacuated are healthy and have tested negative for the virus. They will, however, be quarantined as a precautionary measure," Mkhize said.
Sixteen people have indicated that they do not wish to come back and 34 are being tracked down by the Department of International Relations.
The process will consist of four phases, namely the actual evacuation process by the South African Defence Force, the Department of International Relations and Home Affairs, the quarantine process by the Department of Health and finally the reunification with family.
Mkhize said 84 sites have been identified for quarantine, but the exact location won’t be made public and will be guarded by the South African National Defence Force.
"Support staff in the facility will also be subject to quarantine protocols. The entire quarantine period will be 21 days duration to allow for arrival and phased exit. Legal action will be taken against any individual that goes against the stipulated regulations concerning quarantine.”
Mkize reiterated that the country is ready to deal with any case of the new coronavirus should anyone test positive.