A group of 40 Malaysians who have been stranded in India since March, are set to return home today.

According to Senior Minister (security cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the group will be flown in on an Air India Express commercial flight.

"They are among those who could not come back to Malaysia on July 17.

"Taking into account the infection risk factors, all of them will undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine at the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (ILKAP) in Bangi," Ismail reportedly said in a statement today, according to the New Straits Times.

The police and Health Ministry officials would be monitoring the quarantine centre, and as such, no visitors will be allowed, he added.

The 40 people are part of 189 Malaysians who have been stuck in India since attending a tabligh gathering in New Delhi in India back in March, due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Last Saturday, another batch comprising 62 Malaysian attendees of the tabligh gathering, arrived home.

The group were detained for violating their visa, as Indian law does not allow tourist visa holders to attend religious functions.

Some of the 189 individuals have been charged with the office, while some others have been freed. There are also those still undergoing legal proceedings.

India is the third worst hit country by the pandemic, with almost 1.2 million cases, and more than 28,000 deaths recorded so far.

Globally, the disease has infected more than 15.1 million people and killed over 619,000.


Source: New Straits Times
Photo source: AP via Benarnews.org