Citizens overseas told not to panic, systematic ‘evacuation’ underway
Situation in each country is different
KUWAIT CITY, March 28: The parents of overseas students who are trapped abroad have been advised not to make their own travel plans and to stay put where they are until arrangements are made for their evacuation by the government authorities, reports Al-Rai daily.
The source stressed the need for parents to be aware of the importance of not encouraging their children to move from one country to another in their attempt to come home (Kuwait).
The sources said the situation in each country is different and this may put at risk the lives of the students because there is no guarantee they will reach home safe and sound.
In the context, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the citizens who are trapped abroad to wait for their time as the government with the help of its embassies overseas is in the process of organized process to bring them home.
The ministry affirmed, in a statement, that not to rush things. This comes after four students traveled from Los Angeles to Istanbul and from there to Bahrain, and then to Kuwait.
The presence of the students in Istanbul almost caused a crisis because there is no evacuation plan at the moment either from the United States or Turkey, but the problem was solved by securing their travel from Turkey to Bahrain yesterday afternoon.
It is noteworthy to mention that the first stage of the citizens’ repatriation plan announced by Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nasser kicked off yesterday and will continue until next Sunday, with the priority being for countries where the epidemic has spread and health care has stumbled.
According to the plan, the countries were divided into 3 groups, which are Italy, Lebanon, Iran and Spain, followed by Egypt, Britain, America and France where the density of Kuwaitis is more, and then the Gulf Cooperation Council countries starting from Bahrain and the UAE.
The priority will be for patients receiving treatment abroad, for those with special needs, and then citizens who are over the age of 65 or under 15.