Health Ministry declares successful evacuation of Ukrainians from China

20.02.2020 15:00

Ukrinform

The Novi Sanzhary medical center of the National Guard of Ukraine, designated as a place of observation for Ukrainians and foreigners who arrived from China, has been tested by epidemiologists and poses no threat to the evacuees or others, the Ukrainian Health Ministry has reported.

"Our goal is the safety of people, both our fellow citizens who arrived from China and all residents of Ukraine in general. Therefore, we adhere to all WHO international requirements and assure you that the facility poses no threat to those under observation and the wider public. It has been tested by epidemiologists and meets all requirements," the ministry said.

The ministry stressed that no cases of coronavirus-related illness had been recorded in Ukraine, and called on citizens "to remain calm and not to succumb to artificial panic."

"The evacuation was successful. All passengers, crew and accompanying persons are feeling well. They have no symptoms of acute respiratory infections," the ministry said.

It recalled that before departure from China, all passengers underwent a mandatory examination by Chinese doctors. Before boarding the plane, they were also examined by Ukrainian doctors for the second time.

"All possible measures have been taken to ensure the safety of passengers, crew and airport staff. The plane is located in a separate isolated parking lot. All procedures (passport control, customs formalities) were performed at the airplane ladder

Now 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreign nationals, the aircraft crew and accompanying persons will be transported in special vehicles of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine to the territory of the Novi Sanzhary medical center in the Poltava region. The quarantine will last 14 days.

A plane carrying Ukrainians and foreigners arrived in Ukraine from China on February 20. Foreign passengers include citizens of Argentina, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Montenegro, Panama, and Israel.

Residents of the village of Novi Sanzhary and neighboring settlements have been blocking roads since night, protesting against the placement of evacuees from China. Clashes erupted between protesters and police this morning.

According to the latest data, 2,128 people died from the coronavirus infection as of February 20. The number of coronavirus cases in mainland China reached 75,727 people. A total of 16,526 people recovered and were discharged from hospitals.