Kuwait: Schools to reopen in Sept, cinema entry only for vaccinated people post Ramadan

Kuwait’s Health Minister Dr Basel Al-Sabah has said that all schools in the country will reopen in September, with other activities also expected to resume ‘normally’, local media reported.

Some two million people in Kuwait are expected to be vaccinated for Covid-19 by September, up from roughly 400,000 at present, Kuwait Times reported.

The minister said the country aims to vaccinate roughly one million people by Eid Al Fitr (in mid May), with approximately 120,000 residents including teachers and school staff, people working in cooperative societies, barbershops, salons and banks set to receive their jabs next month.

Meanwhile, he also stressed that post Ramadan, only vaccinated people will be permitted to go to cinema halls. Shops whose workers have not been vaccinated will also be shut.

Al-Sabah urged everyone in Kuwait to get vaccinated and comply with the Covid-19 precautionary measures – especially maintaining social distancing.

Kuwait reported 1,332 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, taking the total number of infections to 210,855.

It also reported seven fatalities, with the total death toll now at 1,179.

Recoveries in the country on Monday stood at 1,335 with 195,507 people in total now having completely recovered from the virus.

Kuwait has taken strict measures in recent weeks to curb the spread of the virus.

Earlier this month, the country announced that a 12-hour nightly curfew – from 5pm to 5am – will be in place for one month starting Sunday, March 7. Only pharmacies, medical stores, cooperative societies and supermarkets will be allowed to continue operations during the period through delivery services.

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.

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

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