Care packages to Trivandrum, Kochi to be accepted tomorrow

The Foreign Ministry has announced policies on care packages from locals to their loved ones family members in Kochi and Trivandrum, India.

The care packages are due to difficulties faced by the locals in those cities to obtain basic necessities as India is fighting to contain the Covid-19 virus. The care packages will be sent via a Maldivian flight that will depart to Trivandrum on April 11, 2020. The government will be providing the service free of charge.

Forms for care packages can now be downloaded from the Foreign Ministry website and will be attended by the order of submission. Around 600 forms will be accepted by the ministry.

A special counter to accept the packages has also been established in Velana International Airport, which will start accepting the packages from 8:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 from tomorrow. Packages must be weighed below 15 kgs and should involve only basic necessities or medications unavailable from the cities.

ITEMS WHICH CAN BE SENT:

• Pharmaceuticals (with prescription)
• Cases of canned tuna
• Cases of noodles
• Rihakuru (with MIFCO or Enzi original packaging)
• Fish packets/other packed food items available for sale

ITEMS WHICH CANNOT BE SENT:

• Money
• Tobacco products
• Raw fish
• Short eats
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Killi
• Staple food items such as rice, sugar, and flour

Information about the receiver of the package must also be included in the form submitted to the ministry. The items will be handed over to the Maldivian consulate in Trivandrum after clearing Indian customs. Items will be handed over to the receivers by the Consulate-General.