The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced that 699 Singapore citizens and residents who are registered with the foreign ministry have returned from India to Singapore on April 10 and 11.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the lockdown on Mar. 24, asking 1.3 billion Indians to stay home for 21 days to slow the spread of Covid-19.

The lockdown ends on Apr. 14 and PM Modi has to make a decision decision on whether to extend it.

S'poreans travel from surrounding states to reach airports where chartered flights are

Due to the national lockdown across India, many Singaporeans and residents had to travel from surrounding states to reach the airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, where the chartered flights operated.

The Singapore High Commission in New Delhi, Singapore Consulate-General in Mumbai, and the Singapore Consulate-General in Chennai coordinated the evacuation and ground operations in India.

MFA said in its press release that the "Singapore Government would like to express gratitude to the Indian government for facilitating the safe return of our Singapore residents".

The returning passengers will serve a 14-day self-isolation at dedicated Stay-Home Notice (SHN) facilities upon arrival in Singapore.

Those who fail to comply with the SHN may be prosecuted under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act.

Top photo via Mumbai Airport Facebook.