Mangaluru: A huge crowd gathered in Kodialguttu after they were informed that some Dubai returnees would be quarantined at Expert Hostel on Tuesday, May 12.

Initially, the locals opposed the move claiming that if a COVID-29 infected people is present among the group, it will spread in their area. They protested saying that they would not allow the district administration to quarantine any Dubai returnees in their area.

When they complained to Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, he rushed to the spot and convinced them that the district administration will take all necessary precautionary measures before quarantining the foreign returnees and that there is o chance for the virus to spread.

After getting convinced, the crowds dispersed.

It can be noted that an Air India flight IX 0384 has already departed from Dubai while ferrying 176 Indians and is expected to arrive at the Mangaluru International Airport at around 10.30 pm today.

The district administration has already arranged to quarantine them in some selected hostels and hotels after they land. As the Expert Hostel is located in Kodialguttu, it is among those that were identified as quarantine centres.