KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5 :The Kuwaiti Cabinet agreed, in an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, on returning to precoronavirus regular working hours at all government bodies as of August 15. Following the meeting, which was held under chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah at Seif Palace, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al- Mohammad Al-Sabah said the Cabinet also instructed that only two categories from unvaccinated nationals could travel as of September 1: Those belonging to age categories not targeted by the Health Ministry’s vaccination campaign and those who are exempted by the Ministry of Health from from vaccination due to health reasons.

During the meeting, Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Bassel Humoud Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet about the country’s health situation. He noted that there is a continued decline in coronavirus-related deaths, infections and hospitalializations. He highlighted the ministry efforts to speed up vaccination to reach social immunity.

Over 100,000 appointments are given for people every day to get the jab at more than 100 vaccination centers across the country, the minister elaborated. The Cabinet thanked all the MoH’s staff, topped with the minister, for their huge efforts to deal with the pandemic. It also appreciated cooperation of all expats and citizens in implementing health requirements. Finally, the Cabinet hoped that all people would be inoculated soon to help return to normal life. Afterwards, the cabinet discussed a mechanism for following up government projects which will be executed in the upcoming months.

Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Khalifa Hamada reviewed the vital projects currently executed by some public sector companies Minister of Oil and Higher Minister Dr. Mohammad Al- Fares submitted a plan on following the implementation of projects and means of removing obstacles, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser added.

The Civil Service Commission issued a resolution Thursday following the cabinet’s meeting last night, to announce that official working system in all government departments would begin on August 15. The resolution stated that exemptions of people from work because of coronavirus pandemic would be abolished, and absence from work will be within the authorized leaves, therefore return to full working hours. The CSC indicated that the usual official seven-hour working time will be restored.(KUNA)