The Nepal Airlines Airbus A330 aircraft is all set to be sent for the rescue of Nepalis in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The plane will travel to China on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

The decision came amid the government facing criticism for its delay in rescuing Nepalis from Wuhan and setting up quarantine as well as isolation facilities for the rescued, ensuring special ambulances to transport the evacuees and training human resources for the same.

Nepalis stuck in Hubei, mostly students, have accused the government of neglecting their continuous plead for rescue.

The National Human Rights Commission on Sunday had directed the government to immediately evacuate Nepalis from Hubei Province.

Though the government is planning to keep rescued Nepalis at the Nepal Electricity Authority Training Centre in Kharipati, Bhaktapur, local residents have been protesting the move with the demand to look for an alternative location.

The evacuees, along with crew members, doctors and supporting staff on the flight to Wuhan, need to be quarantined for two weeks.