Male: Over 200 Maldivians were brought back on two flights of the national airline, Maldivian. The first flight arrived on Monday afternoon, while a second one landed at night. They were evacuated from 16 cities in India.

Over 200 Maldivians were repatriated from India on Monday.

They were brought back on two flights of the national airline, Maldivian.

The first flight arrived from Trivandrum in the afternoon, with 50 passengers. The second flight, from Malé - New Delhi – Trivandrum to Malé, arrived at night, carrying 185 passengers.

The foreign ministry said that they were being evacuated from 16 Indian cities. And those that returned include individuals that went there for medical treatment and had flights cancelled, individuals who are no longer receiving adequate treatment for long-term illnesses due to the lockdown in India as well as those residing there on short-term visa, and residing in remote areas.

And as per procedures in the country, all returnees will be quarantined for a 14-day period and tested for Covid-19 before release.

The foreign ministry also noted that additional repatriation flights will be conducted from India, with details to be provided upon confirmation.

While this is the fifth repatriation exercise of Maldivians stranded in India, Maldives High Commission in India said that it "could not have been possible without various assistance extended by the Indian government".

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