KUANTAN: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is ready to bring home 80 Malaysians from Wuhan, China, in the wake of the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in the republic.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said they would be brought home via a commercial flight as soon as possible.
“The aircraft will also carry a medical team, and those who will be brought back will undergo a health screening in China before being examined again once arrived in Malaysia, and if needed they will be quarantined,” he told reporters here today.
Saifuddin said the ministry was currently in discussion with its Chinese counterpart on several issues before the evacuation process begins.
He was also confident that China would extend its cooperation to Malaysia based on a similar move given to other countries, including Japan.
Saifuddin said there were 35,000 Malaysians in China, however, only 115 in Hubei.
“Of the 115, only 80 remain in Wuhan as the others have left for holidays, either returned home to Malaysia for went to other provinces in China,” he said.
Saifuddin also pointed out that the Malaysian embassy in Beijing had been communicating with Malaysians in the republic for the past week.
As a sign of solidarity, Malaysia will be sending 10 million pieces of rubber glove which is currently needed by the healthcare workers in China, he said. — Bernama
