SEOUL (THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, AFP) - The VCN-235 Air Force plane left Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, at noon on Tuesday (Feb 18), and landed in Japan's Haneda Airport, 20 minutes away from the Yokohama port where the cruise ship Diamond Princess is docked.

The plane is scheduled to leave Japan on Wednesday and arrive at Gimpo Airport at around 8am. It is set to evacuate five people - four South Korean nationals and a Japanese spouse - from the cruise ship. But the final number could change depending on the situation, according to government officials.

There are 14 Koreans onboard - nine passengers and five crew members, all of whom are reportedly unaffected by the coronavirus. They have been stranded on the ship with around 3,700 people since Feb 3, after a former passenger was diagnosed with the virus. As of Tuesday, 542 people were infected with Covid-19, in the largest cluster of virus cases outside of China.

The remaining Koreans have said they want to stay on the ship, largely due to their residence status tied to Japan. The mandatory quarantine on the cruise is set to end Wednesday, which means the remaining Koreans may leave the ship if they test negative.

Upon returning from Japan, the evacuees will be transported to quarantine facilities of Incheon Airport for 14 days, similar to hundreds of Korean nationals airlifted from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the covid-19 outbreak.

"The decision to repatriate Korean nationals who wish to return was made, on the outbreak of many Covid-19 cases on the Diamond Princess cruise," said Health Vice-Minister Kim Kang-lip during a regular briefing. "The location of the temporary lodging facility was selected considering the small number of evacuees."

The government had decided to deploy the 19-seat government plane, considering the small number of evacuees and the cost, it added.
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Evacuees who test positive for the virus or exhibit symptoms will be prohibited from boarding the flight. Those infected with the virus will stay in Japan for treatment.

Seoul's sudden decision to evacuate its citizens comes as many countries have decided to airlift their citizens stranded on the cruise ship. Last week, the government was not considering the evacuation, as most of the Korean nationals on the cruise consider Japan their main country of residence and had not expressed intention to return.

The United States was the first to send planes, transporting 328 citizens from the cruise back to the US. Among them, 14 passengers tested positive for the coronavirus.

Australia, Canada, Israel, Italy and Hong Kong were also planning to repatriate citizens from the cruise.

As of Tuesday, more than 73,000 have been infected with Covid-19 around the world, with the death toll exceeding 1,800, mostly in China.

South Korea confirmed another case of the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 31.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/coronavirus-south-korea-sends-presidential-jet-to-evacuate-citizens-from-diamond

Can this ever happen in Nigeria

Yes, it can boldly happen in Nigeria, but only in cases when Fulani herdsman and Cows are in dire situation...
In fact una gworo chewing presido go single handedly pilot the presidential plane.

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chiiraq802:
Yes

are you sure
lalasticlala

While here in Nigeria, a president daughter is using a presidential jet for her social jamboree but a helicopter is being charted for a sitting VP.

Sorry Nigerian citizens in Wuhan.Your home govt only cared about RUGA, recycling BH/Fulani terrorists, ethno-religious and supremacist cleansing agenda.

CotenantNIG:
can this happen in Nigeria or anywhere in africa

Buhari never give Osibanjo presidential fleet to go share election money, na to use am evacuate Nigerians for China. Story.

When is bubu sending the presidential plane to pick up Nigerians in Wuhan?
or is it just for his enjoyment and that of his family?

chiiraq802:
Yes, it can boldly happen in Nigeria, but only in cases when Fulani herdsman and Cows are in dire situation...
In fact una gworo chewing presido go single handedly pilot the presidential plane.

Damnnnnn niggarrr
Be positive for once na

All of una go just dey look for every opportunity to take insult leaders especially our presido
But una forget say to be a leader is not easy

Most of una nor go fit even lead common four people not to talk of millions

No long thing

Our darling daddy will soon send for ours. They should just stay safe till Grandpa Abba okays it

Political Show off, South Korea national carrier has enough Air Bus and Boeing Max to Airlift thousands of its citizens, but as a smart Politician, it has to be Presidential Jet that cant seat enough people and burns fuel like its free water

This is why people like Fayose the kpomo cutter and Makinde the Audio governor have so much fans... many are to sentimental to think straight ... Imagine if Boko Haram were attacking people and they needed massive evacuation.. instead of Zullum to send in trailers and Luxury Busses, he sent in his Official car that seats 4 Passenger, Nigerian people would praise him than a Governor that sends in trailers and busses


.

Where is the Nigerian government?

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In Nigeria, buhari's daughter is the only person presidential jet can carry and not in desperate times that requires swift measures o but to go and snap photo and go back home.

It can only happen in Nigeria at the year 2060

This a country where things work. Though not perfect (As no country is) but atleast they are heading somewhere and getting some basic things right.

Nigeria? We’ll get there!

Dope

This is a country where things if na Nigeria l wonder TB Joshua church for don full.

Useless country

FG also did same

FG is charging the battery of our plane....... To get Nigerian's home...........

China offended the gods... In just 4 weeks from now a lab in the Midwest or Southern part of the land of the gods will produce the cure!


But till then, Chinese people should not offend the gods again.

Just fear the gods and don't rub shoulders...

They call it NATIONAL SECURITY ABOVE PERSONAL INTEREST!

CotenantNIG:
can this happen in Nigeria or anywhere in africa

I heard Sudan airlifted from Wuhan

Those asking whether it can be done in Nigeria should tell us if they have the knowledge or means to tackle the virus.

50,000 infected in Hubei, China alone.

Definition of a responsible government.

Until a Fulani and some cows are involved, our own will not act. Anyway I can talk.

This is because they are ready to contain the disease

GOOD

Countries that value their citizens are evacuating them.

solmus:




Political Show off, South Korea national carrier has enough Air Bus and Boeing Max to Airlift thousands of its citizens, but as a smart Politician, it has to be Presidential Jet that cant seat enough people and burns fuel like its free water


.

Are u okay

solmus:




[s]Political Show off, South Korea national carrier has enough Air Bus and Boeing Max to Airlift thousands of its citizens, but as a smart Politician, it has to be Presidential Jet that cant seat enough people and burns fuel like its free water

This is why people like Fayose the kpomo cutter and Makinde the Audio governor have so much fans... many are to sentimental to think straight ... Imagine if Boko Haram were attacking people and they needed massive evacuation.. instead of Zullum to send in trailers and Luxury Busses, he sent in his Official car that seats 4 Passenger, Nigerian people would praise him than a Governor that sends in trailers and busses.

[/s]


South Korea uses a small presidential jet to save money and fuel. It is unwise and not economical to use an Airbus to pick up JUST four south Koreans trapped in China.