Kuwait begins phased plan to reopen economy, over a million expats remain in lockdown

Kuwait has started implementing a five-phased plan to reopen the economy completely by mid-September.

The country had imposed a complete curfew from May 10-30 to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

While the lockdown has now been eased in most parts across the country, the areas of Hawally, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Farwaniya, Khaitan and Mahboula – which house over a million expatriates – remain under curfew, local daily Kuwait Times reported.

The interior ministry said people still under lockdown can move freely within those areas, but are not allowed to leave them without a valid permit from the government.

Under the current phase, which will last for three weeks, those looking to shop at cooperative societies and supermarkets will need to do a prior booking online – as it was during the curfew.

The ministry of Islamic Affairs said it will start sterilising mosques and taking all necessary precautions before reopening them later this week.

Health authorities will assess progress before moving to the next phase, the report said.

Kuwait reported 851 additional Covid-19 cases and seven related fatalities on May 31, taking the total number of cases to 27,043 and the death toll to 212.

Read: GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 661 cases, 2 deaths; Saudi registers 23 fatalities

Countries across the GCC have been slowly reopening this week. Saudi Arabia reopened 90,000 mosques to worshippers on Sunday as part of the second phase of easing restrictions within the kingdom.

Read: Saudi begins phase two of easing lockdown: Mosques reopen, fines revealed for violators

The UAE – specifically Dubai – has also resumed business activity across most sectors, provided precautionary measures are followed.

Read: Dubai offices allowed to reopen with 50% capacity; public transport timings revised