Government of Canada Repatriates Canadians and their families from the Epicentre of the 2019-nCoV Outbreak in China

For Immediate Release

February 8, 2020                    Trenton, Ontario                     Government of Canada

Yesterday, we welcomed home 174 Canadians and their family members travelling on a Government of Canada-chartered plane, as well as 39 who travelled on a second flight led by the United States from Wuhan, China.

The repatriated Canadians and their family members were met at Canadian Forces Base Trenton by Canada Border Services Agency officers, and were thoroughly assessed by quarantine officers from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

They will stay in isolation at CFB Trenton for 14 days, out of an abundance of caution, to reduce the risk of spread of the virus. Of the 213 returning Canadians and their family members, none have exhibited symptoms of the novel coronavirus.

A second and final chartered flight is planned to transport Canadians from Wuhan to Canada.

We welcome the leadership of the World Health Organization and continue to work with our international partners to support the global initiatives that are helping to strengthen health systems and to improve early detection of viruses such as the novel coronavirus. We will also continue working with provinces and territories in the days and weeks to come, as well as continuing to liaise with Canadian consular officials to assist other Canadians who may be affected.

We would like to remind Canadians that the risk of spread of this virus within Canada remains low at this time. We have measures in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians here at home and those who are returning.