Government of Canada evacuating Canadians from Wuhan, China

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[h=1]Government of Canada evacuating Canadians from Wuhan, China[/h]
From: Global Affairs Canada [h=2]News release[/h]
February 2, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Fran?ois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, today announced the Government of Canada’s plan to assist Canadians who have requested help in departing from Wuhan.

Government officials have reached out to Canadians and are continuing to offer information and assistance. The Government of Canada has chartered a plane that is standing by. It will land in Hanoi, Vietnam and deploy to Wuhan, where the airspace is currently closed, once the Government of China has given authorization to land. Work is also underway to comply with other Chinese requirements, including providing manifest details in advance of the flight departure and further documentation on the Canadians wishing to depart. Additionally, 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.

Canadian officials are in constant contact with Canadians who have requested assistance to facilitate their departure from the affected region. Staff from the Embassy of Canada to China in Beijing, as well as members of Global Affairs Canada’s Standing Rapid Deployment Team, are now deployed to Wuhan to prepare for the departure of the flight.

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 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.

Canadians in China in need of emergency consular assistance can contact the Embassy of Canada to China in Beijing at 86 (10) 5139 4000. Canadians can also call Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre (EWRC) in Ottawa at +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls are accepted where available) or email sos@international.gc.ca. It is important to note that individuals in Hubei Province must contact the EWRC in advance to make the necessary arrangements to access the evacuation flight. [h=2]Quotes[/h]

“The Government of Canada takes the health and safety of Canadians, both at home and abroad, very seriously. We are taking action to return Canadians home from Wuhan, China, while ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to prevent and limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.”

- Hon. Fran?ois-Phillippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs​

“We have been working with all levels of government, public health officials and our international partners to ensure the safe return home of Canadians from Hubei Province, including staff and the flight crew. Our plan is focused on ensuring the health and safety of all Canadians.”

- Hon Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health​

“The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces always stand ready to help Canadians in need. I am proud of our highly trained medical personnel who will assist in maintaining the health and safety of those travelling from Wuhan. As requested, our personnel and facilities will be made available to help the returning Canadians. We will continue to work with our federal partners and are prepared to assist wherever we are needed.”

- Hon. Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence

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https://www.canada.ca/en/global-aff...da-evacuating-canadians-from-wuhan-china.html​

 

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Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/6499384/canada-evacuation-coronavirus-flight/

Canadians with coronavirus symptoms won’t be allowed onto evacuation flight from China: official
By Leslie Young Global News
Posted February 3, 2020 11:51 am
Updated February 3, 2020 1:07 pm

Canadians who are exhibiting respiratory symptoms linked to a new coronavirus likely won’t be able to get on a flight home from China, Ontario officials said Monday.

Canada is arranging a flight to evacuate Canadian citizens from Hubei province in China, the centre of an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that has infected more than 17,000 people and killed more than 360.

A total of 325 Canadians have requested evacuation, and the federal government said Sunday that it has a flight ready to bring people back. After they arrive, evacuees will be kept under observation for two weeks at the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton, Ont...

 

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[h=1]Government of Canada Repatriates Canadians and their families from the Epicentre of the 2019-nCoV Outbreak in China[/h]
From: Public Health Agency of Canada [h=2]News release[/h]
For Immediate Release

February 8, 2020 Trenton, Ontario Government of Canada

Yesterday, we welcomed home 174 Canadians and their family members travelling on a Government of Canada-chartered plane, as well as 39 who travelled on a second flight led by the United States from Wuhan, China.

The repatriated Canadians and their family members were met at Canadian Forces Base Trenton by Canada Border Services Agency officers, and were thoroughly assessed by quarantine officers from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

They will stay in isolation at CFB Trenton for 14 days, out of an abundance of caution, to reduce the risk of spread of the virus. Of the 213 returning Canadians and their family members, none have exhibited symptoms of the novel coronavirus.


A second and final chartered flight is planned to transport Canadians from Wuhan to Canada.

We welcome the leadership of the World Health Organization and continue to work with our international partners to support the global initiatives that are helping to strengthen health systems and to improve early detection of viruses such as the novel coronavirus. We will also continue working with provinces and territories in the days and weeks to come, as well as continuing to liaise with Canadian consular officials to assist other Canadians who may be affected.

We would like to remind Canadians that the risk of spread of this virus within Canada remains low at this time. We have measures in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians here at home and those who are returning. [h=2]Quotes[/h]

“I want to thank everyone who helped bring these Canadians home safely. They have undoubtedly undergone a stressful situation and we are thankful that they are back in Canada. I want to remind Canadians that the risk of spread of this virus within the country remains low, and that we will continue working with our partners, including the World Health Organization, to ensure the health and safety of Canadians remains protected. ”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health​

“The Government of Canada welcomes the safe return of Canadians and their families from Wuhan, China. Two thirds of Canadians who were seeking to leave Wuhan have now been evacuated, and we continue to work tirelessly to assist all Canadians seeking to return home. I’d like to especially thank our American partners for their support with these efforts.”

The Honourable Fran?ois-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Foreign Affairs

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-hea...entre-of-the-2019-ncov-outbreak-in-china.html​

 

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[h=1]Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on the release of selected individuals from quarantine for 2019 novel coronavirus[/h]
From: Public Health Agency of Canada [h=2]Statement[/h]
February 9, 2020 Ottawa, ON Public Health Agency of Canada

OTTAWA – On February 7, 2020, the Government of Canada repatriated Canadians and their families from Wuhan, China, which is the epicentre of the outbreak of novel coronavirus (referred to as 2019-nCoV).

Repatriated Canadians and their family members are at Canadian Forces Base Trenton for 14 days for further health assessment and observation. This action is being taken to reduce the risk of spread of 2019‑nCoV, based on our knowledge of the incubation period for the virus.

Pursuant to an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act, as the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), I have the discretion to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether the quarantine can be for a shorter period based on an assessment of the risk of harm to public health. In exercising this discretion, I consider the risk of exposure—taking into account relevant factors such as the time spent in the epicentre of the outbreak, the use of personal protective equipment, and any contact with a person showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus.

I have assessed each member of the Canadian Armed Forces medical staff who accompanied the returning travellers, and determined that they do not pose a risk of significant harm to public health, and consequently their continued quarantine is not required.

These individuals are not at risk of exposure to 2019-nCoV as they did not spend time in the epicentre of the outbreak, followed appropriate infection prevention and control protocols (including the use of personal protective equipment), and did not have unprotected contact with passengers or persons at risk of having the virus. All passengers were asymptomatic during the flight, and to date, none of the returning Canadians or their family members have exhibited symptoms of 2019-nCoV.

I will continue to work closely with my provincial and territorial colleagues, as well as the World Health Organization and other international partners, to take the steps necessary to protect the health and safety of Canadians and to mitigate the risk of spread of the virus in Canada. [h=2]Contacts[/h]
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-hea...om-quarantine-for-2019-novel-coronavirus.html