Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) staff are working with Chinese authorities to develop options for the departure of Australians in coronavirus-affected areas of the country.
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said the Australian Embassy in Beijing was now seeking formal approval from the Chinese Government to send a plane to Wuhan to assist with the evacuation of Australians from Hubei Province.
“Australians departing on any flight arranged by the Australian Government will be flown to Christmas Island to undertake a period of quarantine of up to 14 days based on current medical advice, as a condition of their assisted departure,” Mr Morrison said.
“They will also be required to commit to making a contribution to the cost, consistent with normal arrangements in these circumstances.”
He said the arrangements had been made in order to prioritise public health in Australia.
“A temporary Consular Office is being set up in Wuhan to work with local authorities to help give effect to this plan,” Mr Morrison said.
“We do not have a permanent consular presence in Wuhan,” he said.
“An Australian Medical Assistance Team will provide medical support and expert advice to returning Australians upon arrival at Christmas Island.”
He said there were just over 600 Australian citizens in the affected province who were currently registered with DFAT.
“We will seek to speak with each of them in relation to the Government’s announcement,” Mr Morrison said.
“Our focus and priority is on vulnerable and isolated citizens,” he said.
“We are endeavouring to make further contact with those people who have provided us their details.”
