Kuwait suspends entry of foreigners until further notice

Kuwait has decided to extend the ban on the entry of non-Kuwaiti nationals until further notice, authorities announced on Saturday.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation took to Twitter to announce the decision and added that it was based the instructions from local health authorities who were evaluating developments around the Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement came hours before the country was expected to lift the ban on entry of foreigners which had gone into effect for a period of two weeks starting February 7.

The latest directive issued on Saturday clarified that Kuwaiti nationals will be allowed to enter, but will be subject to institutional quarantine for seven days, after which they will need to quarantine at home for another seven days.

Civil Aviation: Based on Health Authorities instructions, extending preventing non-Kuwaiti passengers from entering the State of Kuwait until further notice, and Kuwaiti passengers will continue to enter and be subjected to institutional quarantine (7 days hotel and 7 day at home) pic.twitter.com/A0QGSXBUFg

— الطيران المدني (@Kuwait_DGCA) February 20, 2021

Apart from Kuwaiti nationals, select foreigners will be permitted entry and this includes relatives of Kuwaiti citizens and accompanied domestic workers. Also, diplomats, their families and their accompanied domestic workers will be granted entry. So too will be the case for medical personnel and their accompanied family members, as well as minors below the age of 18.

Kuwaiti patients sent aboard for medical treatment and returning after completion must present a letter issued by the Kuwaiti Health Office in the foreign country from where they sought treatment.

Returning Kuwaiti students registered in foreign universities meanwhile must present a letter issued by Kuwaiti culture office which proves they are registered in the university, and also a letter from that academic institution noting the exam dates.

In a circular issued to airlines, the DGCA added that those passengers still eligible for entry to Kuwait, must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test not older than 72 hours to be allowed boarding, and they must also not display any symptoms including a cold or high temperature.

Upon arrival in Kuwait, they will be subject to a PCR test at the airport, and another one on the sixth day of institutional quarantine. These passengers must bear the costs of their tests.

Read: Kuwait suspends entry of foreigners for two weeks, imposes restrictions on malls, shops