Gulf News

1,000 Indians to leave Kuwait daily on repatriati­on flights

Kuwait reports 620 cases and one deaths as Saudi Arabia logs in 1,402 cases, 35 deaths

- BY RAMADAN AL SHERBINI Correspond­ent

Kuwait has approved the Indian government’s request to operate repatriati­on flights for Indians wishing to return home amid a ban on air travel imposed by Kuwait on dozens of countries, including India, Al Qabas daily reported.

Kuwait’s Directorat­e General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has agreed on the flights proposed by India starting from August 10 until October 24, the paper said, quoting a source.

According to the approval, 1,000 Indians will leave Kuwait daily, to be flown equally by Kuwaiti and Indian airlines.

Indians account for almost 1 million of Kuwait’s 4.7 million population, making them one of the largest communitie­s in the Gulf country.

“The arrangemen­ts proposed by the Indian side are limited to departure only and do not include their return to Kuwait,” the source said. “The decision to ban entry of travellers from 31 countries to Kuwait is still in effect,” the source added.

This week, Kuwait suspended flights from 31 “high-risk” countries. These countries include India, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippine­s.

Kuwait yesterday reported 620 new cases, one death and 704 more recoveries.

Saudi Arabia reported 1,402 new cases, 35 deaths and 1,775 more recoveries as the recovery rate rose to 87 per cent.

174 more deaths in Iran

Iran’s death toll rose to nearly 18,000 yesterday with 174

more deaths while 2,634 new cases were reported. More than 277,000 patients have recovered, but 4,156 others are in critical condition.

Qatar reported 287 new cases and 292 recoveries. There were no fatalities.

 ?? AFP ?? Indians prepare to board a repatriati­on flight at Kuwait Internatio­nal Airport on May 9. The new agreement allows repatriati­on flights from Kuwait to India from August 10 until October 24.
AFP Indians prepare to board a repatriati­on flight at Kuwait Internatio­nal Airport on May 9. The new agreement allows repatriati­on flights from Kuwait to India from August 10 until October 24.
 ??  ?? CORONAVIRU­S PANDEMIC
CORONAVIRU­S PANDEMIC

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