Government in ‘final stages’ of preparation to evacuate Indonesian nationals from Hubei province: Foreign Affairs Minister

As the spreading of the potentially deadly Wuhan coronavirus (also known as 2019-nCoV) shows no signs of slowing down, Indonesia announced today that it’s in the final stages of preparation to evacuate Indonesians who are isolated in China’s Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters in Jakarta that the immediate repatriation follows instructions from President Joko Widodo.

“This morning, I met with the Chinese Ambassador [Xiao Qian] in Jakarta, who conveyed [that we have] clearance for landing… to evacuate Indonesian nationals from Hubei Province,” Retno said in a press conference today, while also expressing her appreciation towards the Chinese government. 

“The departure of the aircrafts and the repatriation team will take place in less than 24 hours,” Retno continued.

The aircraft used in the repatriation mission will be a large plane, so no transit will be required for all the Indonesians flying back home. Retno said that a team of diplomats are also currently making preparations in several cities, including Wuhan. 

The Foreign Affairs Ministry previously said there are at least 243 Indonesian citizens in seven cities across Hubei Province, China. 

The World Health Organization this morning declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency. Latest data sourced from China’s national and provincial health committees show that 2019-nCoV had killed 213 people and sickened nearly 10,000 in China, with at least 175 people having recovered so far.