Sydney: The Australian government has pledged 2 million Australian dollars (approx. 1.3 million US dollars) to help researchers develop a vaccine for the new virus originating in China.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement as he toured the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne on Tuesday.
He told reporters that he wants the brightest and smartest minds in the country to work on the project.
Read more: Indians on board Japan cruise ship as new cases of coronavirus emerge
Morrison also welcomed home the first group of Wuhan evacuees who returned to the mainland after being in quarantine for 14 days at the Christmas Island detention centre.
Late Monday, evacuees arrived at various airports around the country and expressed their thanks and gratitude to the Australian government, medical staff and the Australian Defence Force personnel who were helping out on Christmas Island.
Evacuee Heidi Sun held back tears as she described in positive terms the treatment on Christmas Island.
Morrison also said Australia will evacuate its citizens who have been stranded on the virus-affected Diamond Princess cruise ship in the port of Yokohama, Japan.
A Qantas Airline flight will transport the evacuees back to Australia on Wednesday, where they will be in quarantine for another 14 days at a facility near Darwin.
Also read: New quarantine rules at Hong Kong-China border
(With inputs from AP)
