Covid-19: Kuwait ends quarantine for vaccinated travellers, eases some restrictions

Kuwait is easing Covid-19 restrictions in the country, including ending quarantine requirements for all vaccinated travellers, the Cabinet announced on Tuesday.

All those travellers who are fully vaccinated (using the shots approved in Kuwait) as well as those who have recovered from Covid-19 not more than 90 days prior to travel will no longer require to undergo mandatory quarantine.

They will however need to provide a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours after their arrival in Kuwait, the official Kuwait news agency KUNA reported.

The Cabinet also decided to offer exemptions from a travel ban imposed on non-vaccinated citizens, in effect from Saturday, saying those who cannot get the jab for health reasons will be allowed to travel with health ministry consent, while non-inoculated pregnant women with valid certificates can also journey abroad.

The decision comes after the government announced earlier this month that a travel ban will be imposed on Kuwaitis and their first degree relatives and domestic helpers as of May 22, if they do not receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Young individuals who need not get inoculated will be exempt from this ban.

Read: Covid-19: Kuwait to impose travel ban on unvaccinated citizens as of May 22

Meanwhile the Cabinet also announced that the list of countries deemed as “high risk” for travel will be updated on a weekly basis. It has permitted only outbound flights to India, Pakistan Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, while cargo planes to the destinations will remain unaffected.

Last week, Kuwait said that it was indefinitely barring direct commercial flights from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Those who have resided in or transited through any of those four countries must spend a minimum of 14 days outside of these countries to be allowed to enter Kuwait.

Read: Kuwait to lift partial curfew for Eid; indefinitely bars entry from four countries

Easing restrictions

Kuwait’s Cabinet also eased certain restrictions in the country, with dine-in services permitted at restaurants and cafes starting from Sunday, May 23.

However, the hospitality venues will need to comply with the Covid-19 precautionary measures, KUNA reported.

Health Minister Dr Basel Al Sabah said the easing of the protocols came since the coronavirus situation in the country has “largely stabilised”.

Kuwait reported 1,084 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, as well as five additional deaths and 1,100 recoveries.

The total number of infections recorded in the country has reached 293,574, while the overall death toll stands at 1,701.

تعلن #وزارة_الصحة⁩ عن تأكيد إصابة 1,084 حالة جديدة، وتسجيل 1,100 حالة شفاء، و 5 حالات وفاة جديدة بـ ⁧#فيروس_كورونا_المستجدّ⁩ COVID-19 ، ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات 293,574 حالة pic.twitter.com/YMdKq85LiI

— وزارة الصحة – الكويت (@KUWAIT_MOH) May 18, 2021