Quarantine for China returnees

IN FREE STATE: HEALTH AND ARMY STAFF ROPED IN

They may be isolated in venue near Thaba Nchu with nearby landing strip.

Most of the South African citizens currently in China who are to be repatriated may be heading for the Free State. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that he had ordered the repatriation of SA citizens from Wuhan city in Hubei province, China.

Ramaphosa said Cabinet made the decision after considering the circumstances and following several requests from the families of those in the city.

A total of 62 students from the Free State are stranded in Hubei province. During a meeting with parents in Bloemfontein, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela assured them the students – the majority of whom are on lockdown – were being taken care of, even though they were forced to stay in isolation.

Free State health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the department was ready for the repatriated citizens heading for the province. He said his department would be central to the planning process, which included quarantine for about 21 days.

Earlier media reports indicated that the Tempe Army Base was being considered for the quarantine and although Ramaphosa did not confirm this, he indicated the departments of health and defence would deploy healthcare personnel and support staff to provide assistance during the processes.

OFM News was reliably informed that Black Mountain Hotel near Thaba Nchu, which has a landing strip 6.7km away, was one of the venues being scouted as a possible location for those repatriated to be placed for the planned 21-day quarantine period.

Black Mountain general manager Peter Leonard did not want to comment.

The presidency referred questions on the execution of the repatriation process to the national department of health.

The president also assured South Africans that none of those earmarked for repatriation had been diagnosed with the virus, nor had they exhibited any symptoms.

The latest media reports indicate that 2 744 people have died from the virus so far. – OFM News