Alternative flights to bring home four Tongan sports teams who are stranded in China, will be confirmed soon, Tonga's Ministry of Internal Affairs said today. The teams connecting flights to Hong Kong were cancelled earlier this week due to the novel corona virus epidemic in China.

MIA said the Chinese side has proposed two routes, for the teams to fly direct from the province they are at, either to Shanghai or Beijing.

“There are a total of 51 in the sports team, including officials, to be accommodated. But we expect to confirm their return soon, maybe tomorrow,” he said.

The teams and officials are well and were being looked after at their hotels.

The teams were stranded in China after the (swimming and table tennis) team’s flight to Hong Kong got cancelled, on January 28.

This was due to the rising outbreak of the coronavirus that has caused some major airlines to cancel flights.

None of the sports teams are in Wuhan at the epicentre of the viral outbreak.

NZ evacuation 

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Government announced this afternoon, it would charter an Air New Zealand aircraft to assist its citizens leaving Wuhan.

NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters said they encouraged all New Zealanders in the Hubei region to register on Safe Travel and ensure all their details are accurate and up to date. 

The aircraft has a capacity for around 300 passengers and will fly from Wuhan to New Zealand. Officials will be working through operational requirements with Air New Zealand and Chinese authorities.

"New Zealand will be offering any additional seats to Pacific Islands and Australian citizens as a matter of priority."

There are currently 82 New Zealanders registered on Safe travel as being in Wuhan, and 57 of those have sought consular assistance.

Meanwhile, it has been reported on local Tongan radio that there are still some Tongan students who are studying in Wuhan.