National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has stated locals returning to the Maldives on repatriation flights would be undergoing home quarantine as per the regulations of the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez revealed arrangements have been made to repatriate Maldivians from Sri Lanka and Malaysia. As such, he said a flight of Sri Lankan Airlines is scheduled to operate to the Maldives on June 10, carrying 265 Maldivians who were stranded in Sri Lanka amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spokesperson added another two flights are set to operate to the Maldives from Malaysia later in the month, carrying Maldivians stranded in Malaysia. Mabrook said the dates of these flights need to be confirmed, although the latest information suggests the flights will be operated on June 15 and June 17. He added all returning Maldivians will be placed on home quarantine, as per the regulations of the HPA.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously facilitated two flights of the national airline, Maldivian, to repatriate over 130 Maldivians in Sri Lanka. All returning Maldivians had undergone a 14-day period at a quarantine facility allocated by the government.