Stranded Surinamese nationals return from Belem

The group of Surinamese nationals who had been stranded in Brazil since mid March were flown back from Belem to Suriname on Monday by the government. There was a bit of delay of the flight due to the precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus, COVID19. Timothy Mendonca, general director at Airport Management, told Times of Suriname that the necessary precautionary measures were taken at the Johan Adolf Pengel (JAP) International Airport and onboard of the plane of the national carrier, Surinam Airways (SLM). He explained that doctors escorted the passengers on this flight to check for any flu symptoms. It is the fourth flight that was carried out that by the Surinamese government and which is aimed at getting all Surinamese nationals back home. The group that arrived on Monday has been put in mandatory state quarantine. Colonel Jerry Slijngard who is in charge of running the National COVID19 Management Team pointed out that the flight left Belem around 12:15 and that 102 Surinamese nationals were onboard. He pointed out that 105 Surinamese nationals who are stranded in Miami would be flown back this week. At the end of this week it will become clear when the Surinamese nationals who are stranded in the Netherlands can be flown back. Slijngard urged Surinamese nationals who are abroad and who have not been registered to head to the nearest Surinamese diplomatic post or consular service.