Forty-seven Malaysians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic safely returned home today from Saudi Arabia, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.

He said their return was facilitated by the Malaysian Embassy in Riyadh with the ticket fares being fully borne by the passengers.

All the Malaysians arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 12.26 pm from Saudi Arabia via a special Saudia Airlines flight.

"The 47 Malaysians were required to undergo health screening upon their arrival at KLIA and then undergo a 14-day quarantine at their respective homes," he said in a statement today.

Kamarudin said Wisma Putra also thanked the government of Saudi Arabia, which had helped in efforts to bring home the Malaysians.

"Malaysian representatives abroad will continue to monitor the current situation as well as work with the local authorities in an effort to provide appropriate assistance to Malaysians who are still abroad," he said.

-- BERNAMA