Coronavirus: Ontario Intl. Airport Plans For Wuhan Evacuees

ONTARIO, CA — Amid an outbreak of coronavirus (nCoV) in Wuhan, China, officials at Ontario International Airport announced Monday afternoon that they are 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.

Thursday, the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members from Wuhan. Then over the weekend, it was announced that Washington was arranging a charter flight to evacuate American diplomats and citizens from Wuhan in the Hubei province.

The Mercury News reported Monday that the Wuhan-based Americans will be flown into Ontario International, and the airport has issued a statement: "Ontario International is an official repatriation center for the West Coast and has conducted extensive training in managing situations such as this. In the event that the returning passengers do arrive at ONT, preparations are being made to ensure that proper health, safety and security procedures are followed."

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

"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 Ontario International statement read.

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

"Travelers should be aware that the Chinese government could prevent them from entering or exiting parts of Hubei province," the department said in a released statement. "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.