The Indian government-arranged ship to evacuate its nationals stranded in the Maldives due to the Covid-19 lockdown, is set to depart on Friday evening.

The ship, “INS Jalashwa” entered the port in Maldives capital, Malé City on Thursday and 750 Indian nationals will be repatriated in the first phase of ‘’Operation Samudra Setu" translated to “Sea Bridge”, launched by the Indian Navy to repatriate Indian citizens from the Maldives and other countries.

Although the Indian government earlier revealed that 700 individuals will be taken in the first phase, an additional 50 individuals were given slots to return home.

Indian nationals began gathering for the immigration process on Friday morning, before they embark the ship. HCI maintains that social distancing and norms of safety are being followed by HCI officials as well as the passengers. The High Commission officials and volunteers were in full protective gear to discharge their duties in a safe and orderly manner for the evacuation process under the operation.

Utmost care is being taken to maintain high safety standards, revealed the High Commission.

These Indian nationals have been stranded in the Maldives due to restrictions on international travel in both countries, provoked by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the evacuation process, priority will be given to pregnant women, elderly, children, stranded tourist and workers who lost their jobs as well as those with compelling grounds such as medical or a death in the family.

The 750 Indian nationals will be evacuated via the ship to Cochin, Kerala State.

The High Commission is to have noted that evacuees that are ferried to Cochin will be quarantined for at 14 days before they are allowed to return to their respective destinations. This will be done in accordance with the policy and directions of the Kerala government regarding movement in and out of the state.

This comes at a time the Indian government has been extending assistance to the Maldivian government in several forms including medical essentials and equipment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier reported that 200 Maldivians stranded in nine cities of India will also be repatriated via the country’s national airline, within the next week.