Indian media Deccan Herald reported that the government of India is likely to repatriate Indian nationals stranded in the capital of Maldives, Male', amid the COVID-19 pandemic, within a week's time.
According to the Indian media outlet, the High Commission of India in Maldives stated that a ship would evacuate 200 Indian citizens who are stranded in Maldives due to the travel restrictions imposed on both nations over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The High Commission further stated that the ship would ferry the evacuees to Kochi in Kerala where they would be quarantined for at least 14 days, before being allowed to head to their respective final destinations.
"Preference would be accorded to already registered cases with the High Commission on compelling grounds such as medical, pregnancy, elderly, death in family, stranded tourists, workers who lost jobs and destitute cases", the news media quoted the High Commission.
India had formerly evacuated its nationals in China, Italy, Iran, Japan and Afghanistan as well.
A total of 52 Indian expatriate workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives since the rapid spread of the virus in the capital after the first case of community spread was confirmed on April 15.
It is estimated that approximately 30,000 Indian nationals currently reside in Maldives, including teachers, doctors and labour workers. Many of them reside in the Greater Male' area, which is under lockdown since April 15.
Indian government extended its nationwide lockdown on Friday for an additional two weeks, in effect until May 18. India currently records 42,533 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 1,373 deaths.
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