He said that from the moment the final inspection was done, the entire area was now in total lockdown.
“No one, I repeat no one, will be allowed past this gate from now until the quarantine period is over. We appeal to the public not to come here,” he said.
Declining to say when the South Africans would land in SA, he said reports that they had received from the evacuation team were good.
“The evacuation team is in high spirits. Things are flowing smoothly and we are on track to bring our people home.
“There is a team on the ground in Wuhan and those who are coming home are being taken to a centralised area. From there they will be screened by the Chinese health authorities before they board the aircraft.
“They will again be screened by our staff. Special seating arrangements have been made and everyone will be allocated specific seats. Families will be kept together. There will also be an isolation facility aboard the aircraft,” he said.
Mkhize assured the country that the transportation of those being brought back to SA was being done in line with international best health practices.
“We are leaving nothing to chance,” he said.
'We are leaving nothing to chance,' says Mkhize as 121 South Africans in China prepare for homecoming
It is all systems go as the government prepares to evacuate 121 South Africans stranded in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus epicentre.
Health minister Zweli Mkhize on Friday gave the quarantine site, which will be used to host the returning South Africans, the thumbs-up.
The Ranch Resort will house those returning from the Chinese city, as well as the medical and military evacuation team, for 21 days.
Mkhize told reporters that he was happy with what he had seen.
“All the necessary arrangements have been made to receive those coming home. A military health centre has been established. This includes facilities which will help people with both minor and serious ailments.
“There is a specialised military decontamination facility and an isolation area should anyone need to be isolated. There is also a specialised military isolation ambulance should anyone need to be moved to hospital for treatment,” said Mkhize.
He said that from the moment the final inspection was done, the entire area was now in total lockdown.
“No one, I repeat no one, will be allowed past this gate from now until the quarantine period is over. We appeal to the public not to come here,” he said.
Declining to say when the South Africans would land in SA, he said reports that they had received from the evacuation team were good.
“The evacuation team is in high spirits. Things are flowing smoothly and we are on track to bring our people home.
“There is a team on the ground in Wuhan and those who are coming home are being taken to a centralised area. From there they will be screened by the Chinese health authorities before they board the aircraft.
“They will again be screened by our staff. Special seating arrangements have been made and everyone will be allocated specific seats. Families will be kept together. There will also be an isolation facility aboard the aircraft,” he said.
Mkhize assured the country that the transportation of those being brought back to SA was being done in line with international best health practices.
“We are leaving nothing to chance,” he said.