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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
South African expatriates, who are stranded due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the world, will be flown home by Qatar Airways from May 5 to May 16.
South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa said the planes will be flying to Johannesburg.
“If there are a number of people who wants to go to Cape Town and Durban, then they will be rerouted,” the envoy said.
“After extensive engagement between the South African embassy in Qatar, Qatar Airways and the South African government and with the support of the Qatar Embassy in South Africa, we are proud to announce that Qatar Airways will be repatriating many South Africans from across the world who are stranded, distressed and destitute since the President of South Africa announced a total lockdown from March 26, 2020. One of the unintended consequences of this decision due to COVID-19 was that many South Africans found themselves stranded, distressed and destitute in many countries across the world as they were making their way back home,” the envoy said.
He added that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has indicated that repatriated South Africans will be allowed to return home even during this lockdown period. “The South African government has therefore granted Qatar Airways the authority to repatriate South Africans on a number of repatriation flights from May 5 to May 16.”
The ambassador urged stranded, distressed and destitute South Africans to make use of this opportunity to return home. “We thank Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar al Baker and VP Fathi Atti for their kind assistance in getting our fellow South Africans home safely.”
He said many stranded, distressed and destitute South Africans needed urgent repatriation due to reasons such as those on tourist and business visas, running out of money and life-saving medication. “Some also lost their jobs due to the pandemic as businesses were closed and even some students were no longer able to be housed in their accommodations.”
Moosa said Qatar Airways has repatriated many nationalities across the world during this difficult time and remains almost the only airline worldwide which is still flying because most countries are under lockdown and most airlines are grounded.
DOHA
South African expatriates, who are stranded due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the world, will be flown home by Qatar Airways from May 5 to May 16.
South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa said the planes will be flying to Johannesburg.
“If there are a number of people who wants to go to Cape Town and Durban, then they will be rerouted,” the envoy said.
“After extensive engagement between the South African embassy in Qatar, Qatar Airways and the South African government and with the support of the Qatar Embassy in South Africa, we are proud to announce that Qatar Airways will be repatriating many South Africans from across the world who are stranded, distressed and destitute since the President of South Africa announced a total lockdown from March 26, 2020. One of the unintended consequences of this decision due to COVID-19 was that many South Africans found themselves stranded, distressed and destitute in many countries across the world as they were making their way back home,” the envoy said.
He added that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has indicated that repatriated South Africans will be allowed to return home even during this lockdown period. “The South African government has therefore granted Qatar Airways the authority to repatriate South Africans on a number of repatriation flights from May 5 to May 16.”
The ambassador urged stranded, distressed and destitute South Africans to make use of this opportunity to return home. “We thank Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar al Baker and VP Fathi Atti for their kind assistance in getting our fellow South Africans home safely.”
He said many stranded, distressed and destitute South Africans needed urgent repatriation due to reasons such as those on tourist and business visas, running out of money and life-saving medication. “Some also lost their jobs due to the pandemic as businesses were closed and even some students were no longer able to be housed in their accommodations.”
Moosa said Qatar Airways has repatriated many nationalities across the world during this difficult time and remains almost the only airline worldwide which is still flying because most countries are under lockdown and most airlines are grounded.
