11.37°C Vancouver

Feb 4, 2020 5:37 PM -

Canadians in Wuhan to be evacuated Thursday, government letter says

Share On
canadians-in-wuhan-to-be-evacuated-thursday-government-letter
Flight crew members wearing face masks walk through the international arrivals area at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. China counted 170 deaths from a new virus Thursday and more countries reported infections, including some spread locally, as foreign evacuees from China's worst-hit region returned home to medical observation and even isolation. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The federal government has notified Canadians waiting to be evacuated from Wuhan, China that they will be flown back to Canada later this week.

The Canadian Press has obtained a copy of a letter sent to Canadians and permanent residents currently in the city that is the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The letter says a flight will depart from Wuhan's international airport early Thursday morning although no time has been given. It also says that due to high demand, the government can't guarantee that everyone who is eligible will be able to board the plane.

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu has said 304 Canadians have asked for assistance to return home but only 280 have Canadian passports. Ottawa has said that upon arrival in Canada, the evacuees will be quarantined at the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton for 14 days.

Latest news

german-energy-firm-signals-interest-in-lng-supply-from-proposed-ksi-lisims-project
BCJun 08, 2026

German Energy Firm Signals Interest in LNG Supply from Proposed Ksi Lisims Project

A second German energy company has expressed interest in purchasing liquefied natural gas from the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project on British Columbia’s North Coast. Project partners announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany-based Uniper that could see the company purchase up to two million tonnes of LNG annually beginning in 2032. The agreement is non-binding and remains subject to further negotiations and project development. The announcement follows a separate deal reached last month between Ksi Lisims LNG and German energy company SEFE. Under that agreement, S
canada-post-warns-of-possible-mail-service-disruptions-in-toronto-and-vancouver-during-fifa-world-cup
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Canada Post warns of possible mail service disruptions in Toronto and Vancouver during FIFA World Cup

Canada Post is warning residents in parts of Toronto and Vancouver that mail delivery services may be affected during the FIFA World Cup tournament this summer. In an announcement released Monday, Canada Post said mail delivery could be disrupted in areas near match venues and related event sites due to security measures and road closures associated with the tournament. According to Canada Post, any mail that cannot be delivered because of access restrictions or safety concerns will be securely held at local depots and delivered on a priority basis on the next business day. The postal service
AlbertaJun 08, 2026

Alberta launches major recruitment drive for referendum workers ahead of October vote

Elections Alberta has launched what it describes as one of the largest referendum staffing campaigns ever undertaken in Canada as the province prepares for a provincewide vote scheduled for October 19. The agency says it needs approximately 60,000 workers to administer and count ballots for 10 referendum questions that will be put to Alberta voters. Under provincial rules, ballot counting must be completed within 48 hours of polls closing. One of the referendum questions will ask Albertans whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin the legal process required to hold a binding r
magnitude-7-8-earthquake-strikes-near-mindanao-at-least-32-dead-as-tsunami-warnings-issued
WorldJun 08, 2026

Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes near Mindanao, at least 32 dead as tsunami warnings issued

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday morning, leaving at least 32 people dead, according to preliminary reports from authorities. More than 100 people were injured, about two dozen remain missing, and roughly 10,000 residents have been evacuated from affected areas. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time and had a depth of about 33 kilometres. Tsunami warnings were issued for several countries following the quake as authorities assessed potential coast
louise-arbour-to-be-installed-as-canadas-31st-governor-general
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour sworn in as Canada's 31st Governor General

Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour was sworn in Monday as Canada's 31st Governor General during a ceremony at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa. Arbour succeeds Mary Simon, who became Canada's first Indigenous Governor General in 2021. The appointment is reported to be the first approved by King Charles III. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chief Justice Richard Wagner, House of Commons Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, among other dignitaries. Arbour, 79, is a Montreal-based juri

Related News