Canadians in the epicentre of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China are being evacuated but the plane remains in Vietnam and doesn’t yet have clearance from Chinese officials to land.
Airspace surrounding Wuhan is closed amid hundreds of deaths from the virus which originated in the city in December.
Federal health minister Patty Hadju says China will not allow anyone to board that plane if they have symptoms of the virus.
“This is actually part of China’s extensive effort to contain the spread of disease. They have been resolute on this with all countries. So I think we have to be prepared to understand that’s not going to be a flexible point for discussion.”
Several hundred Canadians are in Wuhan wanting to leave and federal officials say a second plane is ready if needed.
Once Canadian evacuees return home, they will be quarantined for two weeks at CFB Trenton, Ontario as a precaution.
Four coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Canada – three in Ontario and one in British Columbia.
