Twenty-six nationals stuck in India, after the borders of this country closed, are pleading with the government to allow them to return home.

Among the group are students who were on a scholarship facilitated by the Indian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago

They were studying Hindi and were due to return home on May 2^nd 2020.

One of the students, Vishala Siewdath tells Newscentre 5 due to the COVID-19 pandemic their classes and exams were cancelled and they have been trying for many weeks now to get permission to come back home.

Ms. Siewdath says she has contacted the Ministry of National Security but the options given to them are not favorable.

Ms. Siewdath says she and her fellow classmates are willing to book flights but they need an affirmative answer on their return home.

And some 70 nationals have booked a flight from London due to return on July 14^th.

When contacted on the matter yesterday National Security Minister Stuart Young said the borders are currently closed to both nationals and non-nationals.

Minister Young in a Whatsapp message noted that this measure is based on the advice of local medical public health experts and is an important part of the government’s effort to restrict the spread of COVID-19.

He said they continue to manage the borders and entry into Trinidad and Tobago very carefully to protect the population.

Further minister young noted there are currently no commercial flights being permitted.

He explains that at this time he cannot say where things will be with border control in July but what he can say is that government will continue to be guided by the advice from medical public health experts and science.

Minister Young said to comment on any commercial flights being permitted into Trinidad and Tobago in July is premature.