Egypt Evacuates Citizens out of China's Wuhan as Coronavirus Spreads

Egypt, on Sunday, began the evacuation process of Egyptian citizens residing in Wuhan, the coronavirus epicenter in China.

This step comes in the implementation of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to take all necessary measures to ease the return of Egyptians from Wuhan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global emergency due to the rapid outbreak of the virus. Many global airlines, including EgyptAir, announced the suspension of all flights to and from China.

On the other hand, the Egyptian seaports declared a state of emergency to confront coronavirus.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation was tasked by Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly to prepare a plane to transport Egyptians in Wuhan to Egypt, taking into account providing all medical care for passengers for any symptoms the coronavirus.

All those who choose to return to Egypt will be subject to a 14-day period of quarantine in Matrouh hospital. The Ministry of Health, working with other authorities, has been tasked with ensuring all necessary logistical support is provided to those in quarantine.

This will include full medical and other support, routine checks and other actions necessary to accommodate Egyptians returning from Wuhan.

Any Egyptians in Wuhan wishing to leave the city have been urged to contact the Egyptian Embassy in China.

Nader Saad, the cabinet spokesperson, stated that Madbouli thanked the Chinese authorities for their full cooperation and consent over facilitating the return of the Egyptians who want to come back to their homelands from Wuhan.

The spokesman added that the Prime Minister held a meeting with Dr. Hala Zayed, Minister of Health, who confirmed that a fully-equipped quarantine is currently being prepared to accommodate the Egyptian citizens returning from Wuhan.

Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, has become the epicenter of a virus outbreak which has killed at least 305 and infected 14,000 people.