The Cabinet held its weekly session at Seif Palace on Monday under chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, acclaiming His Highness the Amir speech marking the last ten days of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Following the session, Minister of Health, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Bassel Humoud Hamad Al-Sabah, stated that His Highness the prime minister, at start of the session, expressed congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti people and residents of the country, on approaching onset of Eid Al-Fitr.
The ministers examined His Highness the Amir address on the last 10 days of Ramadan, where he called for more understanding and patience in coping with the coronavirus pandemic, affirming the necessity to adhere to the health precautions and lauding efforts of the frontline workers and the volunteers who shouldered the responsibility of confronting the pandemic.
The ministers noted that His Highness had warned that the state would not allow anyone to undermine Kuwait's security, stability, national unity, re-affirming that cooperation among the authorities is the basis for successful national tasks. He further underscored that the state attaches particularly concern for the new generation.
They applauded His Highness' statement that called for bolstering the national unity, the country's security, stability and prosperity.
Sheikh Dr. Bassel informed the ministers about latest developments related to the pandemic where casualties dropped and recovery rate was estimated at 94.6 percent. They were also briefed about the inoculation campaign as part of the precautions aimed at achieving community safety and stem spread of the pandemic.
The ministers discussed recommendations set by the coronavirus emergency committee and decided to end the partial curfew as of first day of Eid Al-Fitr at exactly 1 a.m., close all commercial business as of 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next day, except for pharmacies, food and pharmaceutical businesses, eateries and maintenance companies and agencies, indefinitely.
The government decided to allow the reopening of cinemas and theaters for only those who have been immunized. Eateries are allowed to pursue work with deliveries only.
Establishments and institutions are allowed to call in maximum 60 percent of their staff. Each government department is allowed to set the proportion of the physically present workers no higher than the set ceiling. However, they are entitled to coordinate with the Civil Service Commission if the need arises for more personnel. This decision is effective as of May 17 (Monday) -- indefinitely.
Moreover, the cabinet decided to suspend direct commercial flights -- except for the cargo ones -- with Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Travellers from these countries, or any other countries, are barred from entering Kuwait unless they reside in a third country for at least 14 days -- effective indefinitely.
The cabinet thanked the citizens and residents of the country for their adherence to the measures of the partial lockdown and urged them to continue adhering to the health guidelines, abstaining from mingling and holding gatherings and acting as a single team to pursue the fight against the pandemic and pave way for restoration of normal life.