Two Fijians, who were in Wuhan in China, will be quarantined at a military facility in New Zealand for 14 days after arriving on an Air New Zealand flight evacuating people from China yesterday.

This was part of an operation to get people out of coronavirus-affected China.

Also on board were 54 New Zealand citizens, 44 New Zealand permanent residents on Chinese passports, 23 Australian citizens, 12 Australian permanent resident holders on Chinese passports, 17 from Timor Leste, 17 from Papua New Guinea, eight from Britain, five Samoans, four Tongans, and one each from Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Uzbekistan and the Netherlands.

New Zealand media reports said the passengers would be quarantined for 14 days except for those from Australia who would head to separate facilities.

In Fiji, two students remain in isolation at Nadi Hospital as the Ministry of Health awaits results of blood samples sent to Australia for tests regarding coronavirus.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said it would take a week for the blood samples to be returned with results.

Notice pasted on the door of the paying ward at the Nadi Hospital yesterday where two Fijians are kept in isolation. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

He said until then the two would remain in isolation at Nadi Hospital.

Dr Waqainabete has also hit out at people spreading rumours regarding coronavirus. He said creating fear would not help the situation in Fiji.

He reiterated that the Ministry of Health had already rolled out its protocols at the country’s international port of entries to contain the spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Health has also issued extra forms which would be part of the arrival forms to fill on board.So far there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Fiji.

Edited by Percy Kean

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