South Korea listed Hong Kong and Macao as the epidemic area to strengthen quarantine of passengers from the 12th

The outbreak of the new coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China in 2019 continues. Various countries have taken measures to prevent the “import” of the epidemic and withdraw its expatriates stranded in Wuhan and Hubei.

After the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the “Wuhan pneumonia” epidemic was a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC), more and more countries or regions announced tightening of entry and epidemic prevention measures, and the progress of evacuating overseas Chinese also accelerated.

This article will continue to update the news of the response to the epidemic.

South Korea strengthens quarantine of Hong Kong and Macao tourists

The South Korean government announced on February 11 that Hong Kong and Macau were listed as infected areas, and it decided to strengthen the quarantine measures for tourists entering from the two places on the 12th.

Yonhap News Agency reports that all passengers entering Hong Kong and Macao need to undergo special quarantine, including the need to use a dedicated quarantine channel after disembarkation, submit a health status questionnaire to the quarantine staff and undergo a temperature test. People with symptoms of fever and respiratory diseases need to undergo epidemiological investigations and new coronavirus testing at a screening station located at the quarantine station. The quarantine department will also require immigrants to provide information and contact details of their place of residence in South Korea, and immediately confirm at the scene that they will not be admitted without confirmation.

Zheng Yinjing, Minister of Central Epidemic Prevention Countermeasures, said that the risk of community transmission in Hong Kong and Macao increased after the arrival of patients diagnosed in mainland China, so the government decided to designate Hong Kong and Macao as infected areas to

Philippines bans Taiwan visitors

The Philippine Civil Aviation Authority issued a ban on February 10, prohibiting non-Philippine nationals who have entered or stayed in Taiwan from entering. However, according to the Central News Agency, a number of passenger planes took off before the ban was issued, and about 150 Taiwanese passengers were refused entry after arriving at Cebu, Kalibo, Manila and other airports. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines have also cancelled flights to Taiwan.

British Airways cancels mainland flights until end of March

British Airways said on February 10 that it will cancel flights to and from Beijing and Shanghai until March 31, and that flights to and from Hong Kong will continue to operate normally. The company will contact affected customers to arrange rebooking of seats on other airlines, full refunds, or changes to departure dates. British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from China until the end of February.

South Korea to send third evacuation charter flight

South Korea ’s Central Emergency Response Division ’s copy minister, Kim Kwang-li, said on the 11th that the third evacuation charter flight that left for Wuhan that night will pick up about 170 people and return to Seoul Gimpo Airport on the morning of the 12th. Passengers on board include Korean citizens and their immediate family members of Chinese nationality. The exact number is still being counted. When they return, they will go to a military school teaching building in Gyeonggi-do for 14 days of quarantine.

South Korea’s first two evacuation charters returned with a total of 701 citizens on January 30 and 31.

Philippine evacuation charter returns

A special evacuation plane arranged by the Philippines will transfer 30 Filipinos from Wuhan to China on February 9. After the arrival of 29 adults and 1 infant on board, they boarded a bus that lived in the athletes village of Tarlac province and received quarantine on the 14th.

The Philippine government estimates that there are still 300 Filipinos in Hubei, but not all want to evacuate.

Suspected foreign patients in Korea can receive free virus test

The Yonhap News Agency reported on February 9 that the South Korean government lowered the threshold for virus detection, allowing foreigners, including illegal residents, to be inspected at 124 health stations and 46 private medical institutions nationwide after they included suspected cases. The cost is the responsibility of the government.

It is reported that according to the “Immigration Control Law and Enforcement Order”, the immigration and foreigner supervision department will not collect personal data or investigate related medical institutions when an illegally resident alien is tested.

UK announces enhanced quarantine

The British government announced on February 10 that the virus was a “serious and imminent threat,” which would give doctors additional power to isolate those suspected of being infected.

Cruise ship Diamond Princess lifted off on 19th

A passenger who was found to be suffering from “Wuhan Pneumonia” cruise “Diamond Princess” is currently undergoing quarantine and quarantine work at the Port of Yokohama, Japan, which ends on February 19. Princess Cruises, the company that operates it, said the last batch of tests and quarantine operations will end on the 19th.

The Westerdam cruise ship departing Hong Kong on February 1 would have arrived in Japan, but Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government intends to refuse entry of foreign passengers on board. Japan’s “Sankei Shimbun” reported that the decision to refuse entry would take effect at midnight on February 7.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on February 6 that Japan would refuse entry of foreign passengers on the “Westerdam” because suspected patients were found on board. The operator Westerdam denied that anyone was infected.

At least four cruise ships will enter Japan at the end of the month. Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ichika Aka said that he is urging port authorities across the country to keep it out.

Germany plans to withdraw another group of citizens

The German “Spiegel” weekly reported on the 7th that the government wanted to withdraw another group of German citizens from Wuhan, China. The country has withdrawn more than 100 German citizens and family members over the weekend, but about 20 are still in Wuhan.

Singapore mandates 14 days off for employees returning from China

Singapore ’s National Development Minister Huang Xuncai said on February 6 that the government will force all employees who return from China to take a vacation on the 14th. Every employee of a business or institution is required to take a compulsory vacation, and their employer will receive a daily subsidy of S $ 100 (approximately HK $ 559).

Japan’s fourth evacuation charter returns

Japan’s fourth evacuation charter flight arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport with 198 passengers on February 7. Passengers include Japanese citizens and about 80 Chinese spouses.

Italy: Foreign Minister Says Flights to China

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 7th that Italy agreed to resume some flights between the two countries. Reuters reported on the 7th that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Italian Ambassador to China Luca Ferrari on the 6th. Qin Gang expressed dissatisfaction with the Italian arrangements. The statement pointed out that Italy at this stage agreed to approve some Chinese airlines to resume some flights. However, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio (7th) the country ’s suspension of flights to and from China will continue until the Italian authorities say they can lift it.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on January 31 that Italy has entered a state of emergency. He said that he would allocate funds to respond to the new coronavirus epidemic.

Two cases were confirmed for the first time on January 30, and Conte later announced that it would suspend all flights to and from China. The country is the first EU country to take this precaution.

According to the pilot announcement (NOTAM) issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the scope of the Italian grounding measures includes Italian flights to and from China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taipei. At 0am on the 2nd of the month.

The Italian embassy in China stated on January 30 that all Italian visa centers in China will be closed until February 9, during which new visa applications will not be processed. Without further notice, visa centers will reopen on February 10.

The museum reminds that the public can only enter the embassy if they make an appointment in advance or if it is confirmed that they need to handle urgent matters.

U.S. evacuated charter flights are on their way home

The US State Department said on February 6 that two evacuation charter flights have left Wuhan and are on their way to the United States. The State Department did not say how many people were on board, nor did it say where the charter plane would fly to the United States.

Singapore plans to send another charter flight

The Singapore government said on February 7 that it plans to send another plane to evacuate Singaporeans in Wuhan.

Malaysian state of Sabah requires stranded Chinese guest to leave within 7 days

Malaysia ’s Sabah State announced on February 6 that visas for Chinese tourists stranded in Sabah will only be extended for up to 7 days to facilitate their departure.

Sabah’s Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said that Sabah’s current grace visa extension for Chinese tourists is extended for 7 days, mainly because Sabah has completely banned Chinese routes, so it is hoped that affected tourists can pass other The channel, for example, is to purchase a domestic flight connecting Malaysia and fly back to China.

He emphasized that the extension of 7 days was the limit because if the state government extended Chinese visas indefinitely, it would give more people an excuse to stay in Sabah indefinitely.

ANA expands grounding routes in China

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced on February 6 that in addition to ground flights connecting Narita with Wuhan and Beijing, it will also stop flights from Narita to Guangzhou and other places until late March. These include flights from Narita to Chengdu and Kansai to Hong Kong.

Flights NH873 and NH874 from Osaka to Hong Kong will be grounded from February 17 to March 28.

Kyodo News pointed out that the number of ANA flights between Japan and China (excluding Hong Kong) will be almost halved from February 17.

Japanese charter 4 prepares to evacuate overseas Chinese

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced on February 6 that the 4th overseas Chinese charter flight to Wuhan, China, is scheduled to depart from Tokyo Haneda Airport around 8 pm on the same day. The charter will return to Haneda Airport on the morning of the 7th.

Virgin Australia permanently cancels flights to and from Hong Kong

The airline Virgin Australia announced on February 6 that in response to the continued decline in demand for flights to Hong Kong, it began to permanently cancel Hong Kong flights in early March.

Virgin Australia said in a statement that due to the multi-month anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong and the uncertainty of the outbreak of new coronavirus pneumonia, the demand for flights to and from Hong Kong continued to decline. Considering the challenging Hong Kong market, the company therefore Make relevant decisions.

Two U.S. charter flights complete second round of evacuation

The US State Department completed the second round of evacuation operations. On February 5, two charter flights were arranged to take approximately 350 diasporas back to the United States from China with a new outbreak of coronavirus pneumonia.

Two charter planes arrived at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Northern California on the morning of the 5th. Diasporas of one of the airliners will remain at the air base and will be forcibly isolated for 14 days. Another passenger will be transferred to the Marine Corps military base in San Diego, Southern California, and the aliens on board will be forced to isolate at the base for 14 days.

Malaysia withdraws officials from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia said that due to the escalating Wuhan pneumonia epidemic, it decided to withdraw the non-main officials and all their family members in the mainland China, Hong Kong and Taipei offices, as well as personnel from other government agencies in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Malaysia currently has eight offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Nanning, Shanghai, Xi’an, Hong Kong and Taipei, with a total of 33 officials and 77 family members. Malaysia will arrange non-main officials and The family members returned home, leaving only important officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to stay behind.

United Airlines grounds flights to and from Hong Kong

United Airlines (United Airlines) joined the ranks of American Airlines, said on the 4th that it will suspend all Hong Kong flight services. The company said the decision was due to reduced route demand. The new measures will be implemented from February 8 to February 20, and more changes may appear. The company previously had 3 flights departing from Hong Kong every day.

American Airlines stops flying to Hong Kong

American Airlines said on February 4 that all flights to and from Hong Kong have been suspended, and flights from Hong Kong to Los Angeles and Hong Kong to Dallas will be suspended until February 20. American Airlines previously announced that it would suspend flights to mainland China on January 31 until March 27.

Britain calls for evacuation of citizens in China

The British government on February 4 called for the evacuation of British citizens in China, and also said that it would be more difficult to leave in the next few weeks when flights were grounded and human mobility was restricted. Foreign Minister Dominic Raab issued a statement saying that the government puts the safety of British citizens first, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also pointed out that some staff members who had evacuated the consulate in China, but some necessary personnel responsible for providing support services remained .

Cruise ship Westerdam cancels parking in Busan, South Korea

On the 7th, Yonhap News Agency quoted the Busan Harbor Corporation of South Korea as saying on the 7th that due to the influence of South Korea ’s quarantine department to strengthen the prevention of international cruise ships, the “Westerdam” cruise ship originally scheduled to stop on the 11th was cancelled.

South Korea has banned foreigners who have stayed in Hubei from entering China at 00:00 on February 4. The first passenger terminal building and the second passenger terminal building of Incheon International Airport have separate quarantine offices for passengers from China to strengthen entry quarantine.

When a flight from China arrives in South Korea, it will be arranged to park at a marginal location. Passengers on board will be quarantined separately from other passengers and taken by staff to a dedicated quarantine office.

Passengers will be required to declare health information. Foreign travelers will be specifically required to submit contact numbers and local addresses, as well as to report whether they have visited Hebei Province in the past 14 days. If passengers have fever and respiratory symptoms during the examination, they will be immediately treated in isolation.

The quarantine staff will verify the passenger’s contact information, and even dial the phone number submitted by the passenger on the spot. If the report is false or there is no contact information, the passenger can be refused entry.

South Korea ’s foreign ministry said on January 31 that 368 South Korean citizens who had evacuated from Wuhan and nearby areas have returned home the same morning, and asymptomatic individuals will be quarantined for two weeks. Yonhap News Agency reported on the 31st that the Central Emergency Response Headquarters of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic reported on the same day that 18 of 368 people had fever and other symptoms and were sent to hospital, 12 of whom had symptoms when they were quarantined at Wuhan Tianhe Airport, and the rest 6 Symptoms appeared after arriving in Gimpo, Seoul.

Yonhap News Agency reported on February 1 that the second charter flight returned to Gimpo Airport in Seoul the same morning and received more than 330 citizens.

Brazil will send special plane to evacuate overseas Chinese

Brazil ’s Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said on February 3 that Brazil will declare a national health emergency and will send a special plane to withdraw 40 Brazilians in Wuhan asking to leave the epidemic center. They will be at military bases Isolated on the 18th. There are currently no confirmed cases in Brazil.

Lufthansa extends ground to Beijing and Shanghai until February 29

Lufthansa announced on February 3 that the company has decided to suspend its Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines flights to Beijing and Shanghai, China until February 29. Lufthansa flights to Shenyang, Nanjing and Qingdao were also grounded until March 28. Flights to and from Hong Kong will remain in service.

Lufthansa said on January 29 that it would suspend flights to China until February 9.

United Airlines suspends China to U.S. flights ahead of schedule

United Airlines said on February 3 that it would suspend flights from China to the United States one day in advance, but still plans to resume flights to China on March 28.

United Airlines is the last U.S. airline to still fly to and from China. The company said on January 31 that in response to a new coronavirus outbreak in China, it plans to suspend flights after taking off from China on February 5 China’s air routes, but the company has now changed to one to four days in advance.

Delta Air Lines temporarily suspended flights to China last weekend. American Airlines has suspended flights from China to the United States on January 31.

International Cruise Line Association: Conditionally barred passengers or crew members who have been to China from boarding

Cruise lines from all countries will refuse to board passengers or crew members who have recently traveled to China.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) office in Hamburg, Germany, announced on February 3: “CLIA members will suspend crew movements from mainland China and refuse to visit any individual who has visited China in the past 14 days, regardless of Passengers or crew boarding.

CLIA members include TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line.

Maldives bans foreign visitors from China

Maldives Tourism Minister Ali Waheed said on February 3 that passengers from China or transiting China will be banned from entering the country as a precautionary measure against the spread of the new coronavirus. The ban does not include citizens of the Maldives. Direct flights from Maldives to China have been temporarily grounded.

According to official data from the Maldives, more than 280,000 Chinese tourists visited the resort in 2019, the number of tourists in the country is the largest.

In addition, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said that seven Maldivian citizens had been evacuated from Wuhan with the assistance of India on February 2 and accepted isolation with other Indian citizens.

U.S. tightens immigration policy

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on February 2 that it will further tighten immigration policies, requiring all immigrants to declare whether they have been to China, and airlines will also check passenger passports, meaning passengers will need more time. For check-in, authorities call for passengers traveling to the United States to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours in advance, but the new measures will not affect cargo flights. The Department of Homeland Security warned that if someone was found to have been to China within 14 days while the airliner was flying, the plane might have to change its landing location and go to a designated airport for quarantine.

U.S. President Trump signs executive order on January 31, declaring U.S. into public health emergency, Will temporarily bar entry to China who have been to China for a short time and are suspected of being at risk of transmitting the new coronavirus, among which U.S. residents and their immediate family members are excluded. The relevant executive order will take effect on Sunday afternoon local time.

Under the bill, US residents who have been to China can still enter the country, but they can only enter the country through a specific border when returning to the country, and they must be quarantined for 14 days.

Russian Railways stops passenger trains to China

Russian Railways said on February 2 that due to the new coronavirus epidemic, passenger trains to China will be stopped from midnight until further notice. The suspension includes the Beijing-Moscow route. The company said that tickets purchased in Russia and not used will receive a full refund.

The Russian government announced on February 1 that it will stop visa-free travel for Chinese and stop issuing work visas to Chinese to curb the spread of a new domestic coronavirus epidemic.

UK second charter flight

Sky News reported on the 2nd without quoting the news that a small group of British citizens who failed to board the first charter flight had travelled to and from the country before boarding the second charter flight. They will be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral. There are already 80 British citizens who are also returning from Wuhan and are undergoing medical observation.

The first charter flight that the British sent to take the diaspora back home has left 83 Chinese citizens and 27 foreigners in Wuhan, China. The plane is expected to arrive at 1 pm British time on the 31st. It will then fly to Spain. Passengers on board will be received by the European Union.

New Zealand bans all foreigners who have visited China

New Zealand announced on February 2 that it will ban all foreigners who have visited China from entering. The ban came into effect on February 3, and those who have left the country or have been transiting in the country cannot enter New Zealand within 14 days. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents and their immediate family members can still enter New Zealand, but they need to be isolated for 14 days after returning home.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand has also raised its tourist warning to China to the highest level, and advised citizens not to travel to mainland China.

Philippines: Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao tourists banned

After the first fatal case outside China in the Philippines on February 2, the ban on entry restrictions for people from three places across the Taiwan Strait was extended. In addition, the country announced on January 31 that all persons from Hubei Province, China were temporarily banned from entering the country.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ’s special assistant Christopher Bong Go pointed out that the country has introduced a new travel ban: all visitors coming directly from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are not allowed to enter, Filipino citizens and permanent residents from the three places also have to be quarantined for 14 days after returning home. Filipino citizens have also been banned from travelling to the three places.

An executive order outline issued on February 1 also pointed out that all people from other countries who have been to China, Hong Kong and Macau within 14 days cannot enter the Philippines.

The Philippine Immigration Service has required airlines to step up inspections of passengers before boarding to prevent foreigners from going to the Philippines from three places. Three airlines in the country said they would cancel or reduce flights to and from China starting in February. Flights to and from Hong Kong and Macau are also affected.

Japan: Foreigners banned from entering Hubei Province

From February 1, the Japanese government has banned foreigners who have visited Hubei Province, China from entering Japan within 14 days. Five foreigners have been denied entry on the first day of the measures. On the same day, the government designated pneumonia and other diseases infected by the new coronavirus as “designated infectious diseases” (designated infectious diseases) in the Infectious Disease Act. All infected persons will be quarantined and treated compulsorily according to law, and immigrants will also need to be checked, otherwise violations will be punished.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan increased the “infectious disease danger alert level” for all regions except Hubei Province, China, from the first level, which was originally the lowest of the four levels, to the second level. As for the “reminder level of infectious disease danger” issued by Hubei Province where Wuhan City is located, it will remain at the third level.

The country’s third charter flight to carry diasporas arrived in Tokyo, Japan on the 31st. The second charter flight carried a charter flight of 210 diasporas on the 30th and flew to Wuhan Haneda Airport from Wuhan, China in the morning. After the diaspora was quarantined, many people developed symptoms such as cough. The country ’s first ANA charter flight returned from Wuhan on the 29th. Three of these Japanese have been detected with the new coronavirus. Two of them showed no symptoms, but tested positive. This is the first time that an asymptomatic person has been diagnosed in Japan.

In addition, Japan Airlines said on February 4 that it will suspend flights between Narita and Beijing from February 17 to March 28.

ANA said on the 4th that it will suspend flights between Narita and Beijing from February 10 to March 29. ANA has grounded flights between Narita and Wuhan since the 23rd. The company decided in the afternoon of the 29th to extend the grounding order until March 1.

Both companies have stated that they will reduce the frequency of flights on the Chinese route.

Saudi Arabian Airlines grounds in Guangzhou, China

Saudi state television reported in February that Saudi diplomats reported that Saudi Arabia had withdrawn 10 students in Wuhan. However, the report did not mention when the evacuation took place. Separately, Saudi Arabian Airlines said it would suspend flights to Guangzhou, China from the evening of February 2.

Vietnam: stop flying to China

According to the Notice to the Pilot (NOTAM) displayed on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website, Vietnam will suspend all flights from Vietnam to China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan from the morning of February 1st. With the exception of individual cases, the aircraft must be approved by the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority.

Things changed sharply at night. After Taiwan was “lifted”, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department also stated that Vietnam had decided to cancel the suspension of Hong Kong flights. However, the FAA website can still see the announcement of Vietnam’s suspension of flights to mainland China.

The Vietnamese government also announced on January 30 that it will suspend issuing visas to Chinese tourists.