25/07/2020
25/07/2020
Farwaniya isolation lifted
KUWAIT CITY, July 25, (Agencies): Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved moving on to Phase Three of the coronavirus reopening from Tuesday, shortening curfew hours to 21:00-03:00 until further notice.
Ministers, during a meeting, also decided to remove the isolation measures imposed on Farwaniya as of 05:00 on Sunday, government spokesperson Tareq Al-Mezrem told a press conference at Seif Palace. Meanwhile, a committee tasked with monitoring adherence to the COVID-19 health measures across the country will continue carrying out its role.
Furthermore, worshippers will be allowed to attend Eid Al-Adha prayers across the nation at mosques approved by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs with health and safety standards applied, the official added.
Slaughterhouses will remain shut on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, which falls on Friday, July 31, with the need to schedule appointments to conduct the livestock sacrifice ritual. Phase two, which began on June 30, came after ministers opted for a five-phase plan of reopening based on five criteria on May 28.
These criteria are the scale of infections, stability of case numbers over a sufficient period, lower Intensive Care Unit occupancy numbers, lower hospital bed occupancy numbers and lower number of positive cases detected by daily swabs. Each phase is assessed every three weeks, at least, whereby the government determines whether to move on with the following phase.
The Cabinet held its extraordinary meeting this Thursday through video conference chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah. After the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Khaled Nasser Al-Saleh stated the following.
His Highness the Prime Minister informed the Cabinet on the arrival of His Highness the Amir at Rochester Airport in the United States, to complete his medical treatment.
The Cabinet expressed wishes for a speedy recovery and good health so that he can return to the homeland safely.
The Council of Ministers also expressed sincere congratulations to Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al- Saud on the success of his surgery, expressing best wishes and good health to the Saudi leader.
Later, Minister of Health, Sheikh Dr Bassel Hmoud Al-Sabah, briefed the Cabinet on the health situation in the country, based on statistics and data related to the total number of casualties, fatalities, and those receiving treatment.
The Cabinet also followed up on the latest developments on the treatment, preventive measures, logistic services related to efforts on combating the spread of coronavirus and examined recommendations by the ministerial committee, and the Cabinet decided the following.
First:
- Entrusting all ministers, each in their field of experience, to implement the third phase of the plan for the gradual return to normalcy from Tuesday, July 27, and assigning the main committee to follow up the implementation of health requirements related to fighting the coronavirus, and to monitor the implementation of health requirements and ensure serious commitment to them In various activities and sectors.
- The Cabinet was briefed by Minister of Health’s decision to maintain the curfew in all regions of the State of Kuwait and restrict road traffic, from nine o’clock in the evening until three o’clock in the morning on the following day, as of Tuesday evening, corresponding to July 28, 2020 until further notice.
- The Council was informed on the decision by the Health Minister to cancel the total isolation imposed on Farwaniya area, starting from five o’clock in the morning on Sunday July 26, however the council decided to keep all the equipment and preparations made for isolation by the relevant authorities during the period until further notice.
- Assigning the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior to take the necessary steps to implement the two previous decisions. Second: Approving the establishment of Eid Al- Adha prayers in all State mosques that are specified by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, while committing to abide by all guidelines and requirements of the Ministry of Health in this regard. Closing the sheep market during the first day of Eid al-Adha, corresponding to Friday, July 31, 2020.
Phase three will witness an increase in public sector attendance by no more than 50 percent of the total workforce, visits to social care homes allowed, the reopening of hotels, resorts and apartment hotels and the reoperation of taxis, however, with only one passenger allowed on board.