Seven Maldivians, out of nine in Wuhan City in China where the deathly Novel Coronavirus was first discovered, have tested negative for the infection.

In an interview with Indian media agency WION News, Minister of Defense Mariya Didi stated that the Maldivians were evacuated to New Delhi, India along with 323 Indians residing in Wuhan, on a special Air India flight. Highlighting the Indian Government's assistance, the minister revealed that all seven Maldivians have tested negative to the coronavirus infection and will be brought back to the Maldives as soon as possible once the quarantine period is over.

All seven Maldivians are currently in quarantine at a dedicated facility established in Manesar for a stipulated period, with all Indian evacuees. While nine Maldivians reside in Wuhan City, seven took the opportunity provided by the government to return home.

As such, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously stated that the evacuation was conducted after “close” coordination with the Indian High Commission in the Maldives and the Maldivian High Commission in Beijing.

Following the evacuation, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih thanked both Indian and Chinese governments for their timely assistance.