164 Chinese back from Iran all tested negative for coronavirus

A Chinese citizen coming back from Iran receives health check at the Chengdu Customs. /CGTN

The 164 Chinese nationals who arrived in southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu from Iran early Wednesday have received nucleic acid tests and all have tested negative. None of them shows any fever symptoms, according to local health authorities.

They will stay in a 14-day intensive quarantine for medical observation in designated hotels, said Chengdu Health Commission.

A passenger coming back from Iran registers his personal information at the Chengdu customs. /CGTN

The passengers left Tehran by taking a chartered plane with the help of the Chinese Embassy in Iran and arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 1:17 local time. Following temperature detection and health screening by customs staff, 21 of whom reported respiratory tract symptoms, including sore throat or cough were transferred to a designated medical institutions by special ambulances for further observation.

The health commission said the city would take strict precautions to prevent the COVID-19 spreading from overseas.

Chengdu, an economic powerhouse in southwestern China, is among the top Chinese cities in terms of international flight routes. In 2019, the passenger throughput of the airport was morn than 55 million. In response to the potential risks of infections from overseas, the city government has strengthened coordination of different departments, including airport, customs and medical institutions.

Checking a passenger's health information at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. /CGTN

At the airport, special space has been reserved for planes arriving from heavily-hit countries and regions. All inbound passengers have to undergo a strict health check, and whoever has symptoms is sent to designated hospitals directly. Also, a 14-day quarantine is compulsory – at home or in designated locations based on varying situations.

Quarantines are a priority for the whole country as the situation in China gradually improves. In Chengdu, there have been no confirmed cases for seven consecutive days. Since early this month, several chartered flights have taken home hundreds of Chinese nationals from Iran, and all of them are in quarantine. More flights are expected in the coming days.

Among the 311 people staying in northwest China's Gansu Province, 33 are confirmed cases receiving treatment at local hospitals.