Experience of the air evacuation of the Russian citizens from the focus of a new coronavirus infection in China

With the onset of the novel coronavirus infection pandemic, air traffic between China and Russia was suspended from February 1, 2020, while some Russian citizens could not return to Russia. Under the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, their evacuation by air transport of the Ministry of Defense was organized, for which a merged detachment of medical specialists was formed comprising 5 medical and nursing teams (each with an epidemiologist, a general practitioner (infectionist) and 2 nurses), representatives of the radiation troops, chemical and biological protection. The evacuation was carried out simultaneously by two Il-76MD aircraft. During the flight, every 2 hours, passengers were subjected to thermometry with electronic thermometers and thermal imagers, regular questioning of complaints, and replacement of disposable protective masks. In total, 144 people were evacuated, including 128 Russian citizens.