A plane carrying cargo directly from Wuhan, the original epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, touched down in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Airline employees and cargo handlers dressed in protective gear began unpacking the plane in the dead of night after it landed at about 9.30pm.
One man in a hazmat suit was pictured carrying away a small box, while another crew member told Daily Mail Australia the crew was delivering a ‘huge supply of face masks’.
The crew members headed from the tarmac to the Rydges Hotel at the International Airport.
Airline employees and cargo handlers dressed in protective gear began unpacking the plane in the dead of night
Airline employees and cargo handlers dressed in protective gear began unpacking the plane in the dead of night
A direct flight from Wuhan is arriving in Australia today, only 24 hours since the Chinese government opened its borders after a national lockdown
A government spokeswoman said the aircraft was carrying about 90 tonnes of essential medical supplies, including respirators and protective equipment.
The plane travelled nine hours non-stop from the Chinese city, which is only now easing lockdown restrictions which began on January 23 to rid the region of the deadly respiratory infection.
Since the outbreak began at least 3,300 people have died in China and 81,802 have been infected. At least 2,571 of the nation’s reported deaths were in Wuhan.
Globally, there are now 1.4million known cases.
The cargo plane is operated by Chinese carrier Suparna ‘Yangtze River’ which is part of the Hainan Airlines Group (HNA).
The Boeing 747 was due to land at 8.32pm but was delayed. The plane is carrying freight rather than passengers but does have some crew on board.
Most freight planes carry anywhere between two and four pilots during a long-haul flight.
Crew will be entitled to a hotel stay for the duration of their stopover in Australia, though will be expected to self isolate during that period.
‘International crew are permitted to transit through Australia but must remain in the port or airport, or self-isolate in accommodation for the duration of their transit,’ a Department of Home Affairs spokesman said.
A Cargo plane direct from Wuhan China has landed at Sydney international airport stocked with cargo
The Boeing 747 is operated by Suparna ‘Yangtze River”, part of the Hainan Airlines Group (HNA) which has ties to the Chinese communist party
A Sydney Airport spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that cargo handlers would follow strict disease control protocols.
‘Cargo handlers operating out of the airport are following the strictest hygiene and infection control protocols in line with advice from health authorities,’ they said.
Aviation expert with Strategic Aviation Solutions, Neil Hansford, guessed the plane could be arriving with the purpose of delivering personal protective equipment or to return to China with Australian exports.
Once the plane lands, it will dock at a freight terminal at Sydney Airport.
Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton introduced changes to the Customs Act on April 1 to ban the export of ‘essential goods’ in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hainan Airlines and the Australian Border Force for more information.
A crew member told Daily Mail Australia they were supplying protective face masks for the coronavirus outbreak, though these claims have not been confirmed
One man dressed in protective gear and another two in hi-vis workwear were spotted near the plane’s entrance
The Chinese government lifted its two month lockdown of Wuhan on Wednesday, reopening its borders after 76 days.
Train road and rail connections have reopened however residents need to have clearance via a smart phone application to be allowed to leave.
Each user’s health status is stored within the mobile phone app, which can be accessed by scanning a QR code.
While restrictions are still in place, 200 flights with 10,000 passengers are scheduled to depart Wuhan on Wednesday.
China reported zero deaths related to coronavirus on Tuesday, and only two new infections in the past fortnight.
Relieved residents leave Wuhan on Wednesday morning after restrictions were lifted
A security guard conducts security screening at Wuhan’s Hankou Railway station
Passengers wear full hazmat suits and protective gear as they prepare to depart the city of Wuhan on one of the train services opened on Wednesday after coronavirus restrictions were loosened