A chartered plane carrying U.S. Consulate staff and citizens from a Chinese area in the middle of a Crown virus outbreak was cleared to advance to California after refueling stopped at an airport in Anchorage, Alaska, Tuesday night.
Alaska health officials said all 201 passengers continued to reach the final destination of the plane in California after undergoing medical examination in Anchorage.
"All passengers had already passed through two shows in China and were monitored during the flight," the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said in a statement. "In Anchorage, all passengers were screened twice more and followed up to California by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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The officials added that travelers will be re-examined and "temporarily housed for a period of time" upon arrival in California.
Dr. Ann Zinke, Alaska's chief medical officer, said at a press conference early Wednesday morning that she was ready to handle 240 passengers -- the maximum number the plane could carry, but only 201 passengers boarded the plane in China.
The crew had no interactions and was completely isolated from the passengers during the flight. Zinke said they also never left China, and "the CDC felt they were in danger."
Staff who treated passengers in Anchorage also took the utmost care, wore face masks, gloves, and had a simple interaction with the passengers.
When asked about the risk of bringing in people who could harbor the virus, Zinke said the plane would not land in Alaska if they felt it would threaten public safety in any way.
Airport manager Jim Schschnik said there was no concern for regular local passengers arriving today.
Alaska health officials said all 201 passengers continued to reach the final destination of the plane in California after undergoing medical examination in Anchorage.
"All passengers had already passed through two shows in China and were monitored during the flight," the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said in a statement. "In Anchorage, all passengers were screened twice more and followed up to California by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Full coverage of the Coronavirus outbreak
The officials added that travelers will be re-examined and "temporarily housed for a period of time" upon arrival in California.
Dr. Ann Zinke, Alaska's chief medical officer, said at a press conference early Wednesday morning that she was ready to handle 240 passengers -- the maximum number the plane could carry, but only 201 passengers boarded the plane in China.
The crew had no interactions and was completely isolated from the passengers during the flight. Zinke said they also never left China, and "the CDC felt they were in danger."
Staff who treated passengers in Anchorage also took the utmost care, wore face masks, gloves, and had a simple interaction with the passengers.
When asked about the risk of bringing in people who could harbor the virus, Zinke said the plane would not land in Alaska if they felt it would threaten public safety in any way.
Airport manager Jim Schschnik said there was no concern for regular local passengers arriving today.
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