Kuwait PM: Grand repatriation plan begins April 19

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KUWAIT CITY, Apr 13: Speaking at a lengthy news conference, His Highness the Prime Minister said he is following up round the clock on the hard work of specialized teams tasked with taking measures against the novel coronavirus. “There are 16 of such committees and many other teams,” he revealed.


Underscoring personal concern on part of His Highness the Amir and top leaders about conditions of the citizens, particularly those abroad amid the coronavirus crisis, he stated, “Our determination is grand to overcome the plight … and we have abundant medical and food stockpiles.”


Elaborating, the Prime Minister has said that he is in regular contact with the concerned ministers to resolve any emerging obstacles or issues. “We are all working hard to (resolve the issues),” he stressed.


The Prime Minister has affirmed that the government is addressing issues concerning 50,000 Kuwaiti citizens in various countries across the world. “This subject is a priority for us, and we have been engaged in lengthy discussions to try reach the best solutions while preserving the health system in the country,” he stated.


He declared that following these lengthy discussions among the concerned officials, the government has adopted the plan for repatriating the citizens abroad — execution of which will begin on April 19.


For his part, Minister of Health Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah who spoke after the premier said the repatriated Kuwaitis would be divided into three groups, affirming that the phased process would begin on April 19 and conclude on the 7th of the month after — lasting for 19 days.


He affirmed that the returning citizens would be subject to standard medical procedures against pandemics, such as measuring their temperature and conducting swab tests, before being subjected to either institutionalize or house quarantines.


The first of batch of the repatriates will include those who need mobile beds and life support equipment, he added, re-appealing to families of the returnees to adhere literally to the authorities’ instructions and abstain from emotional interaction with their loved ones upon their return.


Taking his turn at the news conference, Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah declared that the operation would be the largest evacuation of Kuwaitis from abroad since 1991 after Kuwait was liberated of the Iraqi occupation.


So far, 35,000 Kuwaitis abroad desiring to return have registered required data on “Ma’akom” website,” the foreign minister said.
He explained that in the first phase of the operation (April 19-April 21), Kuwaitis would be flown back from GCC countries, Egypt and Turkey.
April 22 would be dedicated for preparing and equipping by the involved teams, he said.


On April 23, flights will resume to bring back Kuwaitis who need beds and life support equipment. April 24 will be also dedicated for preparations and equipping.
From April 25 till the next month, the full-scale operation will be completed, bringing back citizens from more than 101 “points” throughout the world, the minister added.


Responding to a question about destiny and status of the Kuwaiti diplomats abroad, he indicated that they would come back after making sure that all Kuwaitis who wanted to leave were flown back home.
Moreover, he disclosed that more than 17,000 Kuwaiti students studying abroad have posted their data on “Ma’akom” website, however he clarified that their return is not mandatory and that each student could freely take the decision to stay or leave.


He affirmed that more expatriates who breached residency law in Kuwait would fly back home, simultaneously with the flights bringing back the Kuwaitis from abroad.

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