150 Brits Evacuated from China to Milton Keynes for Virus Quarantine
Around 150 British nationals are being flown home from Wuhan, China—the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak—on Sunday, 9 February. They will be quarantined and closely monitored at a Milton Keynes facility for 14 days.
Strict Screening and Isolation in Milton Keynes
Before boarding, every passenger is screened in Wuhan to ensure no one with symptoms gets on the plane. During the flight, monitoring continues, and upon landing, they’ll be transported to Kents Hill Park in Milton Keynes. This facility has been specially selected for isolation due to its medical facilities and appropriate accommodation.
The evacuees face a 14-day isolation period where healthcare pros will regularly check their health. Staff at the site will wear full protective gear to prevent any risk of virus transmission. This is the UK’s second such repatriation following a successful operation at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral.
No Danger to Locals – Full Precautions in Place
Officials stress there’s no risk to Milton Keynes residents. No one showing coronavirus symptoms was allowed on the flight. Drivers transporting the evacuees wore no PPE but were not exposed thanks to strict seating rules and distancing measures.
Close contact means within two metres for at least 15 minutes—conditions avoided during transit. So, no public health threat from transport staff.
UK’s Robust Preparedness and Medical Response
The Foreign Office, NHS, Public Health England, and others have coordinated the repatriation. The NHS has specialist units and expert teams ready to handle highly infectious diseases. Rapid, effective testing for the novel coronavirus is available nationwide.
Symptoms resemble mild flu: fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. Most cases appear mild so far, but caution is paramount.
FAQs on the Quarantine and Safety Measures
- Are staff wearing full PPE? Yes, all staff use appropriate protective equipment inside the facility.
- Are the buses safe without drivers wearing PPE? Drivers stayed isolated from passengers, making risk negligible.
- Are regular health checks conducted? Yes. Onsite clinical teams monitor all evacuees daily.
- Will the site be kept clean? Strict cleaning procedures are in place to prevent infection spread.
- Are local schools at risk? No. Quarantine is fully isolated from the wider community.
- What if evacuees test positive? They’ll be moved to specialist NHS care immediately.
- Will evacuees be released if tests are negative? No. They must complete the full 14-day quarantine, as incubation can last two weeks.
For more information, visit the UK Government’s coronavirus advice page.
