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Henry is now addressing the media, providing background on the plan for the four Canadian travellers to isolate in B.C. 

In a statement released ahead of the press conference, the B.C. Ministry of Health stated that the travellers will not be in contact with the public at any point during their arrival or isolation period. British Columbians "can be reassured that this can be managed safely and supportively for everyone involved," it said.

"In the unlikely event that symptoms develop, British Columbia has established protocols, experienced clinical teams and specialized capacity, including the B.C. Biocontainment Treatment Centre at Surrey Memorial Hospital, to safely assess and care for patients," the statement read.

"People in British Columbia may understandably feel concerned by news like this, particularly given experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is important to be clear that hantavirus is very different from respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19. It does not spread in the same way and is not considered a disease with pandemic potential."

B.C.'s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is scheduled to hold a news conference at noon PT (3 p.m. ET) to give an update on the four Canadians.

GAC and PHAC officials say the travellers were again assessed as asymptomatic upon boarding the plane from Spain, and public health measures, including masking and physical distancing, are in place to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members. 

The minister of national defence has authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to assist in facilitating the repatriation. 

The federal government is working closely with local and provincial health authorities in B.C. To regularly assess and provide assistance to the travellers, according to the statement.

The four Canadians are set to arrive in Bagotville, Que., this afternoon, where they will change planes for a flight to an airport in B.C., according to a joint statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). 

The statement did not specify where in B.C. The travellers will land. 

Upon arrival in B.C., officials say they will be assessed by local public health before leaving the airport to stay at a pre-determined location in B.C., where they will self-isolate for a minimum of 21 days dating back to May 6 — the last day a confirmed case was on board the ship. 

They will then be re-assessed to determine whether they need to extend their self-isolation period by another 21 days, which would be three weeks since the last possible exposure on board the ship.

The Canadian plane has left and is set to land first at the Saguenay-Bagotville Airport in Quebec, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. It's unclear whether that is the plane's last stop and what passengers will do once it lands at its final destination. The Associated Press released a photo showing Canadian passengers being screened by health workers as they board an aircraft.

According to Javier Padilla, Spain's health secretary, Canada has sent a plane to repatriate the four Canadian passengers who are currently disembarking the MV Hondius. 

Once they reach the shore they will be assessed for about 10 minutes. Police will check their passports and then they will be driven straight to the plane.

The WHO responded to our request for information saying, "that is [a] question for Spanish and Canadian authorities."

Spanish Health Minister Mónica García said a plane carrying Spanish passengers has left and is heading to Madrid, where they will be evaluated at a hospital.

Passengers of the MV Hondius from France, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Turkey, Ireland and the United States will soon be able to leave the ship, Garcia said. 

We still haven't heard from Canadian officials on whether Canada is chartering a plane for its four passengers still on the ship.

WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerhove said at a news conference Saturday that Canada and the U.S. Were considering sharing a plane, but neither country has confirmed whether that will happen. 

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, said if that were to happen, it would be "an example of countries collaborating for efficiency."

As boats started to ferry the Spanish passengers back to shore, the media were moved further back while officials wearing protective suits tightened their hoods and put their masks up. 

In a parking lot across from the media, we can see what appears to be the first group of passengers along with doctors. Everyone is wearing protective equipment. Tents are set up and there are two red buses, which we expect will transport the passengers to the airport.  

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