SHIPS ALLOWED TO DOCK … CREWS SHIPBOUND FOR UNDER 2-WEEK STOP

KUWAIT CITY, March 1, (Agencies): One coronavirus (COVID-19) case was registered in Kuwait in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 46, said the Health Ministry Sunday.

Ministry Assistant Undersecretary Dr Buthaina Al-Mudhaf told the daily briefing that the new case is of a patient who was in Iran. All cases are of Kuwaitis, she affirmed, adding that all of them are in a stable condition and recovering.

Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Bassel Al-Sabah on Sunday headed a meeting of the supreme committee tasked with monitoring international health measures on coronavirus. The meeting is part of Kuwait’s continuous efforts to prevent the spread of the virus in the country, the ministry said in a statement.

The meeting was attended by representatives of different state institutes and ministries in charge of facing the disease. Dr Bassel Al-Sabah received late Saturday the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Ahmad Al- Mandhari and his accompanying delegation. Ministry of Health, in a press statement said that meetings took place and highlighted the necessary and precautionary measures that Kuwait is taking facing the coronavirus, according to WHO’s protocols and awareness programs.

The ministry also held a press conference marking this visit, which was broadcasted on Kuwait Television and social media outlets. WHO praised the efforts and rapid response taken in cooperation with them in combating the virus, and were impressed by the steps taken through careful observation, training, isolating, and setting up programs to inform the public. Al-Mandhari visited patients and observed the steps, and methods taken to cure them.

On his visit to the hospitals, Al-Mandhari was accompanied by Head of the COVID-19 response team at WHO regional office, Dr Abdel Nasser Abu- Baker, and WHO representative in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain Dr Ibrahim Al-Zeeq. Five flights have arrived at Kuwait International Airport from Tehran, capital city of Iran, and one from Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on Saturday with Kuwaiti nationals on board.

Upon their arrival at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Terminal, the evacuees underwent preliminary medical tests to make sure they are free of the novel coronavirus infection, said Assistant Undersecretary of the Health Ministry Dr Buthaina Al-Mudhaf. “The arrivals from Tehran have to remain in quarantine while those from Thailand will be under observation at home,” she told KUNA. “The persons who suffer from chronic illnesses, such as the heart disease, were admitted into a specific hospital to verify their health condition,” she pointed out.

Ships allowed to dock
The Ministry of Communications issued a circular to all Kuwaiti marine ports to allow ships coming from South Korea, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, China and Hong Kong to dock, reports Al-Rai daily.

In a press statement, the ministry explained that the approval to dock is based on the recommendations of its health counterpart in order to allow ships carrying goods from countries where corona cases have been reported and confirmed. However, the circular stressed that direct contact with the ships’ crew is prohibited; while the crew is not allowed to disembark if the period of stay at Kuwaiti ports is less than two weeks.

Staff and workers at all restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, food facilities, stands AND warehouses are compelled to wear medical face masks and gloves at work, Public Authority for Food and Nutrition announced on Sunday.

The authority said in a statement that managers of these facilities must secure all needed sanitation materials for both workers and customers, along with tighter inspection on cleanliness of the buildings and all kinds of food.

Government inspection teams will check these facilities to ensure that the necessary hygiene measure are in place and examine health certificates, as part of the extraordinary precautions against coronavirus. People in the sector who do not adhere to these instructions will be liable by law. The authority, established in 2013, looks after adherence to health regulations in various sectors at the national level.

ATMs to be sterilized
Kuwait Banking Association has announced that banks will take the necessary measures to sterilize all automated teller machines (ATMs) throughout the country as an urgent precautionary measure to curb the spread of coronavirus, reports Al-Anba daily.

In a press statement, the association disclosed the local banks will put disinfectants near the ATMs for customers to use before and after each transaction they carry out through the machines. Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah and Foreign Minister assistants reviewed and discussed Saturday procedures taken by the ministry’s diplomatic missions repercussions of the coronavirus.

The meeting highlighted and tackled the steps taken by the ministry to ensure safety to all working abroad by the diplomatic missions, technical staff, including the safety of Kuwaiti citizens until they return back home safely.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and representatives of sterilizing products factories met Saturday to discuss measures to provide goods used in countering the novel coronavirus.

In a press release, the ministry affirmed that it was paramount to tackle the latest challenges caused by the coronavirus, saying that any product, which could reduce chances of contracting COVID-19, should be readily available to the masses as part of the measures to counter the disease. Participants in the meeting stressed that it was a national priority and duty for all to get involved in the efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus, the statement indicated.

Pharmacies, shop close
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced the closure of three pharmacies and a shop that violated the law and did not abide by applicable regulations.

In a press statement Saturday, the ministry stressed on the necessity of abiding by regulations in light of what the country is going through from an exceptional circumstance, affirming that its inspection teams will take serious measures against any violators.

MoCI indicated that it received 127 complaints Friday, stating that its teams had issued fines against a number of violating shops. During the inspection tours, the emergency teams checked 117 pharmacies and shops to determine their compliance with the regulations and standards, it added.