Focus on three steps to follow if total curfew is imposed; ‘no decision taken’

Co-ops provide cars to deliver food items during curfew

KUWAIT CITY, March 28: In order to activate the principle of equality which is one of the most important principles stipulated in the Constitution, a decision will be taken to postpone loan installments due from those registered in the Defaulters Fund for a period of six months, similar to the decisions taken to postpone installments of bank loans by Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior for six months, reports Al-Anba daily quoting informed sources.

They indicated that an announcement is expected to be made soon to postpone installments of the Public Institution for Social Security and Kuwait Credit Bank for the same period.

The sources revealed that the government will increase subsidy for farmers and essential commodity producers in coordination with the unions supervising the production of fish, meat and poultry in order to ensure availability of goods in the cooperative societies.

They said the food and beverage industries as well as the only pharmaceutical factory in Kuwait have been instructed to work for 24 hours per day in order to face the increased wave of purchasing.

The sources expressed their surprise at the demand for increased purchases, which has led to an increase in daily production to 6.5 million loafs of bread, even though maximum consumption does not exceed 4 million bread loafs. Such unjustified purchases cause wastage of two million loafs of bread daily, due to the low price of bread and the ease in obtaining any quantity.

Regarding the level of expectations for implementation of the total curfew, the sources said, “So far the Cabinet has not discussed about implementing a total curfew”.

They expressed hope that the health authorities will not be forced to request for total curfew, and that citizens and residents would commit to staying in their homes.

Meanwhile, other sources said, in light of the closure of pharmacies, cooperative societies, food stores, groceries and catering centers at 5:00pm, it is impossible to implement total curfew.

They explained that there are substantial preparation steps that must be taken to ensure the success of the comprehensive curfew. The first step is ensuring delivery of consumer needs to citizens and residents from cooperative societies. The second step is opening pharmacies and allowing them to deliver medicines. The third step is sending to the Council of Ministers the recommendation of Ministry of Health to implement total curfew, as this is linked to health developments, the most important of which is the increase in the number of new patients.

In response to a question about supporting those who are economically affected, the sources said, “Ideas are being prepared to support the affected people – individuals, small projects and a limited private sector. The document that was published on the economic package is not related to any government agency”.

Food delivery in curfew: Based

on the directives issued by the Council of Ministers and in cooperation with the Federation of Consumer Associations and instructions issued by the health authorities to limit human gatherings, wellinformed sources told the daily 1,350 cars have been provided so far through donations and community contributions that will be distributed to all cooperative societies to deliver goods to homes of residents

of the areas during the curfew hours, reports Al-Rai daily.

This will guarantee the delivery of goods from each coop to the residents of the respective areas. However, no goods will be delivered to areas which fall outside the region.

The sources said the delivery of goods is free of charge and that cars will be distributed to the associations according to the population density of the region. The sources added that the communication between the association and the consumer will be via ‘WhatsApp’ or the association’s online provided that the purchase invoice is not less than 10 dinars and the payment is done through the KNET.

On the list are 72 items that the consumer can order online which may be increased at a later time.