Jail, huge fines for not wearing face mask in Kuwait, Qatar

2,736 new cases, 10 more deaths in Saudi Arabia

Kuwait and Qatar said yesterday they would start jailing people or fining them thousands of dollars for failing to wear a face mask to combat the novel coronavirus.

Kuwait’s health ministry said anyone caught could face up to three months in prison, while Qatar state TV reported the maximum penalty there would be three years.

In Kuwait the maximum fine stood at 5,000 dinars ($16,200) and in Qatar 200,000 riyals ($55,000).

1,632 new cases in Qatar

More than 30,000 people have tested positive in Qatar — 1.1 per cent of the 2.75 million population — although just 15 have died. Only the microstates of San Marino and the Vatican had higher per capita infection rates.

Qatar confirmed 1,632 new cases yesterday, raising the total to 32,604.

In Saudi Arabia, 2,736 new cases were confirmed, raising the total to 54,752. Ten people also died. The kingdom will enforce a nationwide curfew during the five-day Eid holiday.

UAE confirms 731 infections

In the UAE, another 731 people have tested positive, raising the total to 23,358. Six more deaths took the toll to 220. A full recovery of 581 new cases was also announced, taking the number of recoveries to 8,512.

Lebanon will gradually reopen its economy beginning today, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said, following a four-day shutdown imposed after a rise in coronavirus cases threatened a second wave of the outbreak.

Already in the throes of a deep economic crisis, Lebanon began easing virus-related restrictions on business late last month to try to restore some economic activity. But that plan was paused last week after a rise in new cases.

Lebanon has been relatively successful reining in the outbreak since a mid-March lockdown that set an overnight curfew and shut most business and air travel.

The country of about 6 million people has recorded 911 infections and 26 deaths.

Initial attempt

In a televised address yesterday, Diab said the economy would resume its gradual reopening, but warned Lebanese to adhere strictly to health and safety guidelines that had been flouted during the initial attempt.

“We do not want this stage to turn into a nightmare, and we will not accept that all Lebanese pay the price for some irresponsible and indifferent behaviours,” said Diab.

A five-stage plan for resuming economic activity unveiled last month envisages most economic activity restored after a final period beginning on June 8.

Lebanon has not set a date for the re-opening of its airport for commercial flights.