Diplomatic Missions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have begun to assist Maldivians returning home amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
With the temporary travel bans in various countries following the escalation of COVID-19 across the globe, the ministry is working to ease the Maldivians residing overseas. The ministry expected the public to understand challenges in bringing Maldivians home as several airlines have grounded their flights amid the pandemic.
Furthermore, the ministry highlighted the various challenges in travelling overseas, adding the staff at the missions is working to inform the public on travel and other restrictions overseas. The ministry has called on all Maldivians residing abroad and traveling overseas to register at the diplomatic missions nearest to them.
Additionally, people traveling to Maldives have been instructed to share the details of their flight numbers and their passport numbers to the ministry or the diplomatic missions due to a 14-day quarantine period subjected to all Maldivians and people using diplomatic and employment visa. Tourists visiting the Maldives have been exempted from the 14-day quarantine period.
The ministry has further called on the public to follow instructions from respective local authorities and restrict movement and stay indoors and travel only when necessary