No inbound travellers on direct flights from China: Ambassador Lizhong
31 ޖެނުއަރީ 2020 | ހުކުރު 10:41Authorities announced that all flights coming from China have been cancelled, on Thursday
Tourists at Velana International Airport
Ambassador of China to Maldives, Zhang Lizhong has clarified that there are no inbound passengers on the direct flights coming in from China and that they are scheduled to carry tourists departing from Maldives.
On Thursday, the government of Maldives decided to halt direct flights from China. The measure was taken with regard to the recent coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 9000 people worldwide and claimed 213 lives thus far.
However, the public has been expressing concern over some scheduled flights still arriving from regions of China
Ambassador Lizhong took to Twitter to clarify the matter on Friday, stating that the flight “come in empty” and depart full.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid said that the decision was reached after thorough discussions with relevant stakeholders, in order to maintain the safety and security of the Maldives.
In addition, Tourism Minister Ali Waheed revealed that the flights were halted after relevant discussions in a way that “will benefit everyone”.
This comes at a time the authorities have been drawing public criticism for not halting flights from the southeastern nation earlier, when the epidemic surfaced.
Earlier, Minister Waheed revealed that thousands of bookings have been cancelled following the virus outbreak, mostly from Chinese tourists. The ministry continues to receive details of booking cancellations from top markets, said Waheed.
On Thursday, Maldives discovered its first suspected case of coronavirus. The 20-year-old suspected of carrying the disease after arriving from China on Wednesday night, has since been isolated at the quarantine facility established at Funadhoo island.
