The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday, facilitated the repatriation of 26 Maldivian students stranded in Belarus, following their failed attempt to depart from Minsk National Airport on July 18.
The foreign ministry collaborated with the Belarusian government and the Maldivian Embassy in Germany to organize the repatriation efforts via Belavia Belarusian Airlines and Qatar Airways.
Consular services for Maldivians residing in Belarus are provided by the Maldivian Embassy in Germany, as it is the nearest diplomatic mission within proximity to Belarus.
As per the ministry, 14 students have already departed from Belarus on Monday while the remaining six are scheduled to depart on Tuesday.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous Maldivians stranded in various countries across the world were successfully repatriated.
Highlighting disruptions to international air transport as a result of the ongoing pandemic as well as changes to visa arrangements, the ministry urged all Maldivians seeking to return to the country, or travelling abroad, to confirm flight routes with airlines prior to departure.
The foreign ministry also requested Maldivian travellers to adhere to the following instructions:
- If travel routes include a transit, confirm visa requirements of the transit country prior to booking tickets
- Acquire travel insurance
- Practice social distancing and following COVID-19 related safety measures
- Register on the Health Protection Agency's 'Haalu Belun Portal' before arriving in Maldives
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