South Africans to be evacuated from coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan
More than a 100 South Africans will be evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.
The office of President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the new development in a statement released on Thursday night.
"President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the repatriation of South African citizens from Wuhan city in Hubei province, China," says spokesperson Khusela Diko.
The cabinet decided to bring back home 132 South Africans "after due consideration of the circumstances, and following several requests from the families of South Africans in the city".
The COVID-19 epidemic has killed more than 2,800 people, mostly in China -- where it first emerged in December -- and infected more than 82,000 in around 50 countries.
The government estimates that there are 199 South Africans in Wuhan but "at this stage, 132 of them have expressed the desire to be repatriated".
Diko has added that "None of the South Africans there have been diagnosed with the deadly virus or shown any symptoms."
But the returnees will be placed in quarantine for "21 days as an additional precautionary measure."
Diko has not given any indication as to when the evacuations will take place or exactly where the South Africans will be held in quarantine.
These compatriots are currently living under lockdown conditions following the outbreak of the coronavirus.