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Kuwait begins nightly curfew, mulls lifting institutional quarantine for vaccinated arrivals

A 12-hour nightly curfew – from 5pm to 5am – will be in place for one month starting Sunday, March 7

by Aarti Nagraj

March 7, 2021

Kuwait’s Health Ministry is contemplating the option of lifting the institutional quarantine requirement for those who are vaccinated against the coronavirus, local media reported.

Dr Buthayna Al-Mudhaf assistant undersecretary for Public Health at the ministry said that vaccinated arrivals may only be required to quarantine at home.

Technical committees are studying the issue and a report on the matter will be submitted as soon as the study is completed, Kuwait Times quoted her as saying.

All those arriving in Kuwait currently have to undergo mandatory institutional quarantine for seven days at a hotel and seven days at home as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile the entry of foreigners into the country remains banned until further notice.

Read: Kuwait suspends entry of foreigners until further notice

The country announced during the weekend that a 12-hour nightly curfew – from 5pm to 5am – will be in place for one month starting Sunday, March 7, due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

Only pharmacies, medical stores, cooperative societies and supermarkets will be allowed to continue operations during the period through delivery services.

Meanwhile people are permitted to attend prayers at mosques by walking.

The council of ministers has allowed salons and health clubs to reopen during the day following a one-month closure, but restaurants and cafes will remain closed except for drive-through and delivery services.

The cabinet also ordered all parks, recreational areas and public gardens to be closed.

Taxis can only carry two passengers.

Those found violating the rules will face fines of up to KD5,000 and can be jailed for up to three months.

Kuwait reported 1,318 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, taking the total number of infections in the country to 199,428. The overall death toll stands at 1,120, while 185,231 have recovered.

Read: Kuwait: New restrictions on malls, restaurants, and private sector offices