Australians to be evacuated as coronavirus fears grow

The Federal Government will evacuate and quarantine ‘vulnerable’ Australians stranded in the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Chinese province of Hubei, the Prime Minister has announced.
Up to 600 Australians and New Zealanders could be evacuated under a plan requiring them to be quarantined for two weeks at the Christmas Island detention centre, with the support of the Australian Medical Assistance Teams.
The National Security Committee of Cabinet took the decision today, following an upgrade in travel warnings to avoid all of China and a diplomatic meeting held in Beijing Monday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a live-streamed news conference.
Mr Morrison said the details of the evacuation were still being finalised, but efforts would focus on “particularly vulnerable or isolated Australians” in the affected province, such as the elderly and young children.