The full letter:
Dear Dutchmen in Hubei,
In a European context, the embassy is busy planning an evacuation from Hubei province. I want to give you more details about these plans:
Because there are many different European nationals in Hubei, but usually not many in number per country, it is essential to do the evacuation together. This was discussed this morning in a European context in Beijing.
The French government, which does have a very large group of compatriots in Hubei, looks at different options for their own countrymen: either by road with buses to Changsa, or by plane to Europe. However, here are some things that are important to report:
The Chinese government does not give Chinese partners and children permission to travel with their French partner so far.
In both cases (so either by road or by air) evacuees must stay in quarantine for a minimum of two weeks.
Other countries are also looking at the possibility of evacuating people by road or air alone or with several countries together. In the event of actual evacuation, the Dutch government has indicated that we would like to give our fellow countrymen the opportunity to evacuate with the French or with other European nationals.
I ask you to let me know if you are interested in evacuation, if the following conditions apply:
- There is currently no permission for Chinese partners and Chinese children to travel with the foreign partner.
- Be aware that upon arrival in another Chinese province, or at a European destination, you will be housed in quarantine for at least two weeks in a suitable location. This also means that in the case of a Chinese destination by road, you will therefore be quarantined by Chinese authorities.
- The costs of this evacuation, travel + accommodation during quarantine will be at your own expense. You will be asked to sign a debt statement before the evacuation starts.
Below some questions:
If, under these conditions, you choose not to stay in Hubei province, but to participate in an evacuation, I must receive full details from you:
- Name
- Name partner
- Name of children
- Nationality partner
- Nationality of children
- Passport numbers
- Validity of passports
- Validity visas for China
- Residence address
- Phone numbers
- We-chat ID (if you have this)
PLEASE NOTE: If the partners are ultimately allowed to join the Chinese government: will you go along (so if you have to quarantine and pay the costs of evacuation?): YES / NO
Even if you have previously sent me your personal data, I will ask you to send it to me again. That way I can compile a good list. This is important because we need to make the list of names of people who want to evacuate known to the Chinese government. Those who are not on the list may NOT join.
If you are NOT in Hubei anymore, please let me know, then I can get you out of the mailing list and we can get you off the list of residents.
If you have any questions about this e-mail or about this situation, please let me know,
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