National airline Maldivian on Monday opened the opportunity for Maldivians stranded in Malaysia, as a result of travel restrictions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, to purchase flight tickets to return to the island nation.
Maldivian nationals coming home from KUL to MLE can purchase tickets online today from 1700hrs (Male time). Also please be advised that the scheduled departure time on 8Apr from KUL at 600hrs (Malaysian time) may be subject to change. 🙏 #Maldivian
— Maldivian (@MaldivianAero) April 6, 2020
Individuals can register for the flight and are expected to purchase a one-way ticket for upwards of MVR 4,000, starting from 1700 hrs (GMT+5) on April 6. The flight will depart from Kuala Lampur, Malaysia at 0600 hrs (GMT+8).
Maldivian's Public Relations Manager Moosa Waseem confirmed that 100 passengers were safely transported to Maldives on a flight that landed at Velana International Airport at 2145hrs, on Sunday.
The chartered flight from Colombo to Male' was the first operation carried out by Maldivian to bring back locals stranded in foreign countries due to travel restrictions implemented in response to the pandemic.
Another flight aims to evacuate Maldivians at Cochin, India, on Monday. One-way tickets for this chartered flight cost MVR 4,086.
The state assured that efforts were underway to bring back Maldivians stuck in other countries, such as Bangladesh, as well.
According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by Health Protection Agency (HPA) to contain the spread of virus within the community, all arrivals, with the exception of tourists, must complete a 14-day period at a quarantine facility.
Therefore, all Maldivians that return will only be released after completing the quarantine period.
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