President offers free return tickets to Maldivian citizens in China

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, made the decision to cover the cost of air fare for the Maldivian citizens in novel coronavirus hit China who wish to return home to Maldives.

The President’s decision was announced by Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who said the offer stood for transportation from the five Chinese cities the national airline, Maldivian, travelled to; ChongQing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Xian.

Maldivian citizens who wish to make use of the opportunity and return home to Maldives have been asked to contact the Maldivian Embassy in China.

The President’s decision to offer transport back to Maldives comes amid an outbreak of a novel coronavirus in China which had claimed the lives of 132 people and infected more than 6,000 in China and abroad.

Maldives set up screening measures at Velana International Airport in a bid to prevent the outbreak from reaching the country last week.