Spaniards from Wuhan out of quarantine and symptom-free

The group of 21 – who all live there permanently or are in China on assignments or long-term projects – were flown back to Spain at their own request within days of contacting the embassy – and, in fact, were more than halfway through quarantine before the UK had fetched its own citizens back from Wuhan.

After being transported back to Madrid in a military aircraft with specialist staff who are used to handling situations such as these, the 21 were placed in isolation at the Gómez Ulla Hospital in the capital.

They told reporters and family members that they were 'very happy' there – despite the fact they were not allowed to see anyone except through a screen, they described their stay as 'rather like a break in a luxury hotel'.

The group was monitored around the clock, their temperatures taken three times a day, and their relatives and friends who visited were given watertight protection and full instructions.

Visitors brought food and other supplies for the quarantined group, since there were no restrictions on what they could eat, as long as it was in an unopened package.

“They arrived here healthy and are leaving healthy,” said Dr María Vicenta García, head of the Preventive Medicine Service at the military hospital where the group was based.

“Yes, they've been in Wuhan, but no, they have not caught the Coronavirus.”

For the moment, the 21 are staying with their families or friends in Spain, as it is not safe for anyone from outside to travel to Wuhan.

This is a difficult situation for some of the group, who have Chinese spouses and, in a few cases, children, but whose families were not allowed to leave the country – even though Spain would have been willing to fly them to Madrid, too.

Whilst they are in Spain, Dr García insists they should be treated 'normally', because there is no reason not to do so.

“Please do not stigmatise them. You can hold hands or shake hands with them, hug them, let children play with them,” she stresses.

“We've just said goodbye to them with hugs.

“They have never been considered 'patients' – in fact, we have not even opened a clinical file for any of them.”

Two of the Spaniards who have just left quarantine spoke to reporters, and both say they want to go back to Wuhan as soon as possible.

Pedro Morilla said: “As soon as normality returns there, of course we'd like to go back. We've left friends and work colleagues there.”

He gave his thanks to all the staff at the Gómez Ulla hospital, 'especially the cooks', since, during their stay, they 'ate very well indeed'.

“They've treated us as 'healthy' people from the word 'go', and in fact, we've all been given a certificate to prove it – so you can kiss and hug us without any risk.”

He and Óliver Cuadrado, who gave the press conference, wished the people of China 'lots of strength', and urged the people of Spain to be 'understanding' with Chinese nationals in the country.

“They're perfectly healthy people, and they deserve to be treated as such,” the two men stressed.