Full Farwaniya curfew, partial Khaitan optioned
155 stores closed
KUWAIT CITY, April 13, (Agencies): At a time when Kuwait is awaiting a decision by the Council of Ministers to implement a comprehensive curfew, in light of the increase in cases of new coronavirus (COVID-19) and in conjunction with the start of the implementation of the second phase of the evacuation plan of Kuwaitis from abroad, informed government sources have told an alternative approach is being considered which may include tightening restrictions on the movement of the people in certain areas, reports Al-Rai daily.
The sources stated the ministerial committee which is in charge of following up on developments of (COVID-19) are looking at alternative solutions in its meetings, discussing all aspects and dimensions, before submitting a report to the Council of Ministers.
During its weekly meeting which was held Monday, the report included a proposal to place Farwaniya under total curfew as it happened in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mahboula, in addition to isolating two regions of Khaitan region.
Field hospital
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense announced, Sunday, that it will prepare three locations in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh to be used as a field hospital and quarantine in part of the measures to counter the coronavirus.
The three locations are two schools and a sports center, said the public relations department of the ministry.
The ministry affirmed that it will continue the measures to boost the country’s defenses against the dreaded coronavirus, which had spread like a gigantic wildfire around the global.
Stores closed
One hundred fifty five stores that did not abide by preventive measures laws to avoid the spread of coronavirus were closed since the past month, Ahmadi Governance Deputy Director for Municipality Affairs Fahad Al-Shtaili said Monday.
In a press release, Al-Shtaili said inspectors of Al-Ahmadi Municipality sent 674 warnings, and warrants to shop owners, and issued 235 various violations, including a formal closure order to 20 stores.
He added that the Ahmadi Municipality undertook to the task of cleaning and sterilizing 251,427 containers of different sizes, and to transfer 74 neglected vehicles and scrapes, including putting 25 stickers on neglected cars, received seven reports, and issued 10 violations to street vendors.
Al-Shtaili noted that Al-Ahmadi Municipality seized seven mobile groceries stores and removed 210 violating desert camps, among other tasks during operations.
66 new cases confirmed
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health confirmed, Sunday, that 66 people were infected by the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 1,300.
During its daily briefing, Health Ministry spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said that 26 patients were in intensive care, adding two death has been reported, one is from an earlier incident during the start of this month, and the other is recent which is related to a male 50 years old national, who was in the intensive care unit.
Those currently receiving treatment at hospitals reached 1,148 patients said the spokesperson, adding that 746 individuals have completed quarantine in the last 24 hours.
The spokesman also said 11 cases are under investigation.
Earlier, the ministry announced the recovery of nine new patients, bringing the total to 150 recoveries.
MoH opens volunteering
The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday announced the opening of volunteering for doctors and nursing staff affiliated with the private medical sector to join the ministry.
This comes in light of the health situation, developments, and repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak in order to seek
the concerted efforts of all parties and individuals to confront the coronavirus pandemic, said the ministry in a statement.
The ministry noted that volunteering is available through the registration system of the Ministry of Health on the following link: http://volunteering.q8-ehealth.com
Al-Mutawa grants discount
Jamal Abdel Hamid Khaled Al-Mutawa granted 25 percent rent discount for the months of April, May and June to all Kuwaiti and expatriate tenants in the investment and commercial properties that his company owns, reports Al-Anba daily.
This is in view of the exceptional circumstances that Kuwait and other countries throughout the world are going through due to the novel corona pandemic and the accompanying disruption of activities of people in various professions and businesses, in compliance with the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and in response to the ‘#Fazaa_Kuwait’ campaign.
Al-Mutawa took this decision, considering the current condition of tenants and to support the efforts being exerted by the government and the volunteers. “We are one in facing this crisis. We must join hands and work together until we reach the safe side,” he asserted.
He asked everyone to abide by health instructions and guidelines, ignore rumors and obtain information from reliable sources; such that those in charge of managing the crisis will succeed and for those on the frontline of dealing with the virus to achieve their goals.
Sectors study mitigation plan
A number of economic sectors are currently studying ways to overcome the crisis that banks are applying now; such as 30 percent reduction in the salaries of officials like board chairpersons, chief executives, their representatives and general managers; and cancellation of bonuses (rewards) and special privileges, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.
Sources emphasized that the steps taken by banks, according to the directions and needs of each bank, can be a model for other sectors; considering banks have taken a firm decision not to lay off Kuwaiti employees and expatriates whose services are needed by the sector at this stage until the situation returns to normal after the end of the coronavirus crisis.
Sources clarified these measures are not compulsory, as they fall within the framework of moral responsibility towards shareholders and the government is not involved in this matter. Sources said these measures are just temporary; affirming the salaries, bonuses and other benefits will be paid again once the crisis and its repercussions are completely eliminated.