Covid-19: Kuwait begins three-week complete lockdown from May 10

Kuwait goes into complete lockdown for three weeks starting Sunday, May 10, as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The Kuwaiti cabinet announced the decision during an extraordinary meeting on Friday following a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus infections in the country.

The lockdown will start at 4pm on Sunday and end on May 30, encompassing the Eid Al-Fitr holidays.

Under the regulations, public sector work will be allowed, if required, through remote means.

Those working in essential sectors such as electricity, oil and municipality and employees at private firms assisting them will be allowed to continue operations during the lockdown.

Private supermarkets and groceries will also be allowed to remain open in certain areas.

Other private sector activities will not be permitted and all delivery services – except for cooperative societies and pharmacies – will also be suspended.

People are allowed to go on walks inside residential areas between 4.30pm to 6.30pm daily, but they have to wear masks. They are also not allowed to drive.

Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh has been entrusted with enforcing the lockdown, ensuring that permits are granted to workers in essential industries and forming emergency teams across the country.

The decisions taken at the council of ministers
8-5-2020#CGCKuwait pic.twitter.com/dMrtIKztjS

— مركز التواصل الحكومي (@CGCKuwait) May 8, 2020

Speaking at a press conference, he said the lockdown is part of the final stage of measures that have been taken to contain the spread of Covid-19, adding that ‘life will begin returning to normal’ after the lockdown ends on May 30.

Officials also urged the public not to stockpile food since supplies are available.

Kuwait reported 415 new Covid-19 on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 7,623. The death toll in the country stands at 49.