The flight to evacuate New Zealanders from Wuhan, China, where the deadly coronavirus started, has taken off from Auckland and is due to return late tomorrow afternoon.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told 1 NEWS officials were working with Chinese authorities and Air New Zealand to finalise flight details.
"MFAT is in touch with those who have requested to leave Wuhan and return to New Zealand on the flight. The number of passengers travelling or a breakdown of nationalities is yet to be confirmed," the spokesperson said.
"This remains a complex operation with many issues still being worked through including visa requirements and transport logistics. Officials are working to resolve these as quickly as possible."
The new rules mean all foreign nationals travelling from or through mainland China will face entry restrictions. (Source: Other)
Passengers will be quarantined at a military base in Whangaparāoa, in northern Auckland.
They'll have to isolate themselves at home for a further two weeks in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus.
1 NEWS reporter Paul Hobbs has this February 3 report. (Source: Other)
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