Coronavirus: Fed-Chartered Plane Departs Wuhan, Bound For Ontario

ONTARIO, CA — The U.S. State Department has confirmed that a plane carrying U.S. Consulate General Wuhan personnel is heading to Ontario International Airport.

The personnel were ordered out of Wuhan, China by the State Department amid an outbreak of the deadly coronavirus (nCoV) in the region.

In an emailed statement to Patch, a State Department spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that the agency "procured a chartered flight for U.S. government personnel in Wuhan." As space was available, seating was offered to other U.S. citizens on a reimbursable basis, according to the spokesperson.

The plane departed from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport Wednesday morning, China Standard Time, according to the spokesperson. The exact departure time and number of passengers onboard was not provided. Wuhan is 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

All of the passengers were screened for coronavirus symptoms at the Wuhan airport prior to departure, according to the spokesperson.

Officials at Ontario International Airport announced Monday afternoon that they were working with federal, state, county and city partners to plan for the possibility of a flight carrying U.S. government officials and private citizens returning this week from the Chinese city.

"Ontario International is an official repatriation center for the West Coast and has conducted extensive training in managing situations such as this. ..., preparations are being made to ensure that proper health, safety and security procedures are followed," an ONT statement read.

Airport officials said Ontario International will "proceed under normal operations" during arrivals and screenings.

"The safety and security of our facilities are of utmost importance to ONT, and we are taking whatever steps are necessary to minimize the risk to our customers, our staff and the community at large," the ONT statement read.

Just two hours prior to confirmation from the State Department that the plane had departed from Wuhan, en route to Ontario, Ontario International Airport spokesperson Felisa Cardona said officials at the facility had not yet been notified about the arrival but were preparing for one.

The Centers for Disease Control, the State Department of Public Health, the State Office of Emergency Services, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, the City of Ontario and Ontario International Airport, were working together, according to Cardona.

"Anyone arriving at ONT as part of the repatriation effort will be kept separate from the public until medical professionals determine there is no risk of infection," Cardona said.

Temporary living quarters in a space at the airport, removed from the passenger terminals and other public areas, is being set up, according to The Press-Enterprise.

The State Department is warning Americans that Chinese authorities have imposed strict travel restrictions in and around Wuhan.

"Travelers should be aware that the Chinese government could prevent them from entering or exiting parts of Hubei province," the State Department said on its website. "Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice."

There are currently no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Inland Empire.