NEW DELHI: Around 200 Indian expats stranded in the Maldives will arrive in Kochi on a ship later this week, a report said. This will be the first batch of Indian expats returning to the country ever since the nationwide lockdown was announced. Upon arrival, the expats are expected to complete a quarantine period of 14 days.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the centre has asked the expats to bear the expenses incurred during the quarantine period. However, the government has not asked the expats to bear their travel expense.

It must be noted that Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla had held discussions with Kerala Chief Secretary Tom Jose regarding the repatriation of Indian expats from the Maldives. The list of expats selected for the journey will be determined on a priority basis. The centre will give permission for the return journey once the state government hands over the list of expats set to return.