President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the evacuation of South African citizens from Wuhan city in the Hubei province of China as coronavirus continues to claim more lives.
Cabinet took a decision to evacuate all South Africans from the city following requests from the families, Presidency said in a statement.
The virus has killed more than 2 800 people and infected about 83 000 worldwide, according to Chinese authorities.
It is estimated that there are 199 South Africans citizens in Wuhan as per the latest consolidated list from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
At this stage, 132 of them have expressed the desire to be repatriated.
“These compatriots are currently living under lockdown conditions following the outbreak of the corona virus,” said Presidency’s spokesperson Khusela Diko in a statement.
“None of the affected individuals has been diagnosed with the virus nor have they exhibited any symptoms thereof. Upon arrival in South Africa, they will be placed in quarantine for 21 days as an additional precautionary measures.”
World Health Organization director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Friday that all nations should prepare themselves for potential pandemic, as nations aside from China now account for three-quarters of new infections.
“This virus has pandemic potential,” Tedros revealed in Geneva.
About 12 countries reported their first virus cases in past 24 hours.
According to WHO, outside China the virus has spread to a further 46 countries, where about 3,700 cases and 57 deaths have been reported so far.
(Compiled by Charles Molele)
