South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa bid farewell to a special team at OR Tambo International airport tonight dispatched to repatriate citizens from coronavirus-hit mainland China.

When the novel coronavirus broke out in the city of Wuhang, students, teachers and other SA expatriates pleaded with the government to be evacuated from China.

Coronavirus causes Covid-19, the disease which has killed more than 4, 000 people across the world.  China accounts for the majority of deaths.

Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Minister of Health Dr. Zweli Mkhize,  Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and several others from the South African National Defense Force.

Dr. Mkhize confirmed that upon arrival, the returnees will be tested and kept under quarantine for 21 days. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) requirement is 14 days.

The government said it is not going to reveal the location where these returnees will be kept and monitored.

WHO has declared the Covid-19 infliction a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” in January.