Authorities launch hunt for Kuwaitis who slipped into country unchecked
Finger of neglect points to port of entry
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 27: The concerned authorities are looking for Kuwaitis who entered the country before efforts to evacuate them from Iran began on Feb 22, especially those who were in Iran when the coronavirus was detected in Mashhad, reports AlRai daily.
The daily added, these Kuwaitis slipped into the country without informing the authorities that they were in Iran.
Well-informed sources told the daily the finger of neglect is pointed at the concerned port sector for failing to account for travelers entering the country from countries (particularly Iran) where the coronavirus was detected because they failed to the precautionary health measures.
The sources pointed out the passenger manifesto showed a number of Kuwaitis returned from Iran after a decision was issued to quarantine passengers.
The sources added, these passengers arrived into Kuwait from Iran via Gulf capital to escape being quarantined and not adhered to the plan introduced by Kuwait to airlift those stranded in coronavirus infected areas, particularly Iran and Iraq.
The sources stated the security authorities are now sifting through the list of passengers to locate their residential address and summon them for examination and apply health measures on them and those they came in contact with.
The sources say the Ministry of Interior has asked the airlines to provide all information and data including copy of passengers manifest as soon as possible especially after it discovered several cases of people who entered the country without being subjected to medical check over the past 14 days.
Biometrics suspended: Government spokesman, Tariq AlMuzram,
announced the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has decided to temporarily suspend the fingerprint attendance system in all government institutions, starting from Sunday, March 1, 2020, as part of government efforts to confront and contain the coronavirus, reports Al-Rai daily.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) in its circular said the decision is valid for month (until March 31, 2020). However, the employees will have to sign in and sign out.