The Council of Ministers approved an amendment to the bill for imposing immediate fines on violators of health regulations and methods to pay these fines. The bill will be submitted to His Highness the Amir for referral to the National Assembly. These are part of a slew of measures aimed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The fine amount was not mentioned. Despite reports in the media, the Cabinet did not take any steps towards announcing any closures or partial curfews as a measure against the spread of the coronavirus.
Several decisions were also made in their weekly session held on Monday at Sief Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Among them was to assign the Ministry of Information (MoI) to intensify and develop media messages on health requirements to spread awareness and reinforce discipline for observing health regulations. Second, introducing appointments for dining in restaurants and cafes, and visiting sports clubs to avoid crowding. Third, camps and temporary tents will not be allowed in residential areas and chalets. Fourth, assigning the main committee to follow up on the implementation of health requirements related to combating the coronavirus, and to develop its working methods and intensify its efforts in line with the increasing cases and the high infection indicators.
Furthermore, the Cabinet also discussed recent developments in the political arena at the regional and global level. The Cabinet strongly condemned the Houthi militia crime by launching a drone towards the Saudi territory last Saturday, affirming Kuwait stands with the Kingdom and supporting all the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to preserve its security, stability, and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh stated the following: The Cabinet congratulated His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah after taking the oath of office and gaining the parliament’s pledge of allegiance.
Minister of Health, Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah, updated the Cabinet on the latest health developments in the country including statistics and data related to the numbers of coronavirus cases of infection, recovery, deaths and those receiving treatment. The Cabinet again called on all citizens and residents to seriously adhere to all health instructions and guidelines to reduce the effects and risks of this pandemic.
HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah pointed out to the Assembly on Thursday that health conditions in the country were alarming in response to the rise in the number of new coronavirus cases and the recent deaths in the country in the past few weeks.
The Cabinet also decided to organize a special committee to oversee the implementation of health guidelines during the forthcoming Assembly elections, which are expected to be held in late November or early December.
Government spokesman Tareq Al-Mazrem said since the end of June, 6,112 warnings were issued against malls, markets and shops for violating health guidelines, while 484 orders to shut down were also issued to other shops found to be grievously flaunting the health guidelines.