The mayor of Quinte West says he has confidence in the men and women at 8 Wing Trenton, when it comes to dealing with the repatriation of Canadian citizens, who are coming from the epicentre of the coronavirus in China.
Mayor Jim Harrison opened Monday’s council meeting by updating residents on the situation, saying he was told on the weekend that the Federal Government would be chartering two planes to bring Canadians back from Wuhan, China and keeping them quarantined at the base for two weeks, until they are deemed to be clear of the virus.
Harrison tells Quinte News he trusts that the plan laid out will keep the community safe, but anyone concerned about the situation should take their own precautions.
He says he’s fairly certain that 8 Wing was chosen as a location based on the competence of personnel there, not the location.
Harrison added that “these people are Canadians that are coming home and we all know the best place to be when things aren’t going well, is at home.”
In a statement released Monday afternoon, MP Neil Ellis says anyone showing symptoms of the virus before leaving China will not be allowed on the plane.
Ellis added that anyone showing symptoms of the illness while in the air would be immediately quarantined on the aircraft and says public health officials and DND personnel underwent a dry run at CFB Trenton Monday, to ensure that all systems and procedures are functioning properly.
