More repatriation flights will be arranged, assures spokesperson for the government's Covid-19 taskforce Mohamed Mabrook Aziz.

While speaking at Monday night's press briefing held at the National Emergency Operation Centre's (NEOC), Mabrook urged Maldivians not to panic and assured that there will be more than one repatriation flight.

This was in response to concerns raised about the selection criteria for repatriation flights. Both Maldivian - the airline responsible for the repatriation flights - and Mabrook have guaranteed that no one is given more priority over another when tickets are issued.

Mabrook explained that different procedures were followed for different repatriation flights. He stated that authorities compile data based on two things; the situation of the person, as well as their location, followed by people registered at embassies that have requesting repatriation.

This data is made available to the airline and they choose how to move forward, said Mabrook.

Highlighting that over 1000 people had applied for the Srilankan repatriation within four hours, Mabrook stated that the 100 slots on the flight was given to 30 people from TC Sports Club, 20 people in Sri Lanka for medical treatment via Aasandha, and 50 people given tickets on a "First come First Serve" basis.

As for the flight from Cochin, he stated that tickets were given to 117 people whose flights were cancelled due to the lockdown on India whereas the remaining 71 were people seeking medical treatment in the neighbouring country.

As such, he stated that seats on the repatriation flight from Malaysia will be reserved for the first 200 people who register online.