Nepal government evacuates 175 nationals from coronavirus-hit China

Nepal government on Sunday evacuated 175 Nepali citizens, mostly students, from Hubei province, epicentre of vel coronavirus, by a special aircraft and put m under quarantine for two weeks.

A chartered plane- Airbus A330- took off from Tribhuvan International Airport to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport on Saturday afteron to bring back Nepali nationals, including 170 students, an employee, two visitors and two children.

Three pilots, six crew members, an engineer, a lomaster and a medical team comprising a doctor, nurses and paramedics from Nepal Army were on board flight to China.

Nepalese were evacuated from six cities of province, including provincial capital Wuhan, Enshi, Shiyan, Yichang, Jingmen and Jingzhou.

Highest number of Nepalese, 55, were evacuated from Wuhan, according to a press release issued by Embassy of Nepal in China.

Out of 185 applicants who expressed willingness to fly back home, four later decided to stay back in China, while six could t board plane due to medical reasons.

Those evacuated have been taken to Nepal Electricity Authority Training Centre, Kharipati in Bhaktapur district, 15 km east of Kathmandu, for quarantine after undergoing a health check-up at Kathmandu airport.

According to a tice issued by Ministry of Health and Population, evacuees would be kept under quarantine for two weeks or longer.

Those evacuated will stay in 60 rooms, with six persons sharing one restroom. Each evacuee has been provided with masks, hand sanitisers, towels, soaps and slippers.

Those quarantined should record ir body temperature twice a day and should immediately inform medical team if y think y have any symptoms of COVID-19.

evacuees will t be allowed to meet ir family members during quarantine period and will be under CCTV surveillance round clock, according to health ministry.

government has also me provisions for psychological counselling in centre.

health ministry, through a tice, asked evacuees to abide by rules and regulations during ir stay in quarantine.

A time-table has been fixed for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, evacuees can spend ir time by playing various games at centre.

Five Nepalese, who arrived from China last month and suspected to have developed symptoms of virus, have been mitted to state-run Shukraraj Hospital in Kathmandu.

Of m, one person, who h tested positive for coronavirus, was discharged after treatment.