Coronavirus scare: Jetstar passengers tell of Hobart tarmac ordeal

Passengers trapped on board a Hobart Jetstar flight for about three hours with an unwell passenger from China have spoken of their ordeal.

PASSENGERS trapped on board a Hobart Jetstar flight for about three hours with an unwell passenger from China have spoken of their ordeal.

Lachlan Rule, of Melbourne, said passengers had become suspicious when the JQ713 flight from Melbourne touched down in Hobart about 2.35pm.

“When we got up to disembark none of the doors opened so we were a bit suspicious,” he said.

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“Then there was a slight delay and the announcement came out that it shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.

Passengers on board Melbourne to Hobart Jetstar flight JQ713, which was been stuck on the tarmac at Hobart Airport for about three hours. Picture: SUPPLIED

“We were asked to resume sitting and they gave us intermittent updates.”

Mr Rule praised airline staff.

“Jetstar were very good about it. They were doing their best to keep everyone calm. It was a tricky situation for them.

“They cleared everyone off and the unwell passenger was kept on at the back of the plane.”

Kylie Walton, from South Gippsland said most remained calm.

“There were young kids on-board and obviously it was hard for them,” she said.

“It took a while to get information.

“All we were told was there was a medical emergency and then we were given information that a man was unwell and he had been to China.

“It was just waiting patiently. For about three hours.”

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Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch said the affected passenger will be thoroughly medically assessed to rule out coronavirus after becoming ill on the flight.

“While the man has recently travelled in China, at this stage it is understood he was not in Wuhan or the wider Hubei Province where the disease outbreak is centred,” Dr Veitch said.

“It is not believed that he has been in direct contact with a confirmed case of the disease.”

Dr Veitch said coronavirus is not strongly suspected as the cause of the man’s illness, but he will be assessed at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“The outcome of the medical assessment will determine whether he is further tested to rule out coronavirus,’’ he said.

“As a further precaution, disembarkation was delayed in order to ensure Public Health Services had passenger contact details for further follow-up if required.

“Passengers have also been provided with further information from Public Health Services.

“I apologise to the passengers for the delay of their disembarkation, but we are conscious of the need to take necessary and appropriate precautions given the current situation.”

In a letter handed to passengers by health department officials, they were told they are required to give their contact details for later follow up.

“Your contact details are being collected so that Tasmania’s Public Health Service can contact you as soon as possible once the assessment in complete,” the letter read.

“This may take up to two days.

“You are free to travel in Tasmania as you wish.

“You do not need to restrict your activities.”

Two Tasmanians have already been tested for the potentially deadly coronavirus, an outbreak which started in Wuhan in central China.

A woman in her 20s was tested at the Launceston General Hospital but tested negative for the virus on Thursday.

She had reported feeling unwell after recently returning from China.

A Hobart man in his 30s was hospitalised last weekend and also tested negative for the virus after having travelled to Wuhan.