Life appears to be continuing as normal in many housing areas in Kuwait, as citizens ignore social distancing protocols to organize weddings and parties, and insist on visiting many diwaniyas, reports Al Qabas daily. There is blatant disregard for adhering to the guidelines by the Ministry of Health in the face of coronavirus pandemic, which includes a ban on gatherings, and parties to limit social interactions. The rate of infections after lifting the total curfew increased rapidly among citizens/Kuwaiti families due to mixing, which the Ministry of Health blames as the main reason for the rise of new infections among Kuwaitis.
MoH has made repeated appeals and warnings about the danger of mixing and gathering, which leads to the transmission of infection to other family members and those close to them, who are forced to remain in their homes during the curfew period. It is extremely reckless that some citizens violated the health restrictions by holding weddings and celebrations inside their homes in broad daylight.
Al Qabas daily reports that one of the hidden reasons behind the increasing number of coronavirus infections among citizens and Kuwaiti families in the same house is the lack of commitment by the majority to health instructions through continuing weddings and parties. Some famous media players competing in cooking and cake decorating with flowers and holding “double engagement and marriage” ceremonies. Many of them organize events as before and refuse to display it on social media. This was the reason for the increasing number of infections among citizens as many do not follow the health instructions.
Journalist Saleh Jarman from Al Qabas pointed out that a large group of society are committed to preventive measures, so they restrict themselves indoors and only leave home if extremely necessity. Unfortunately, the infection is transmitted to them due to negligence and carefree attitude of a family member who violates the health quarantine instructions by going out or visiting other people or attending weddings.
To uncover the truth, Al-Qabas contacted a contractor and owner of a company for organizing parties and events, Nasser Al-Nasrallah who affirmed that some Kuwaiti families were keen on holding wedding parties, receptions and gatherings in chalets and farms almost on a daily basis at the time of the curfew.
He said they violate all instructions and the repeated appeals of the Ministry of Health to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Al-Nasrallah revealed an increasing demand for full party equipment in homes, especially after the holidays. He noted that he receives daily messages from customers asking for a DJ or singers to celebrate a wedding or an occasion from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
He remarked, “I was subjected to many temptations by some customers to revive their parties by telling me to have no worries, just tell us what you want as we have wasta (influence) to cover you.” Some of them even offered additional sums and reassured the house’s commitment to precautionary measures.
“As one of the female clients asked me to organize a party in her house at night while staying in the Diwaniya of the house, I overcame the temptation by insisting that I can not risk my life and that of those around me, even though the profession is my source of income, and we’re the most affected by the decision to stop holding parties and gatherings”, he noted, adding the last party he organized was on March 7.
He pointed out that other companies — most do not have license to operate — took advantage of the crisis and raised the prices to double, with the price of party preparation package at home ranging from KD1,500 to 1,800 at the time of the curfew, covering a band and DJ, while any extras costing additional.
Regarding the quality of clients, Al-Nasrallah said: Most of them are women, as they request to organize weddings or reception, while some citizens request a DJ for family gatherings in chalets and farms. He affirmed that most of the customers are from the tenth area near Fahaheel and the fourth area near Jahra. He also said that owners of the concerts prepare the venue by isolating the sound and reducing the music, and most of the invitees are neighbors and relatives. Saleh Jarman disclosed that the number of mobile salons “Home Service” exceeds the number of fixed salons where owners promote their offers on social networking sites to provide services in a way that keeps pace with current developments through qualified crews in terms of sterilization. He pointed to the increasing demand for this service, especially with wedding events and receptions organized in broad daylight.
Jarman also went ahead to reveal the restaurants’ willingness to meet customers’ requests for food supplies and buffets at weddings. He noted the requests increase, especially at the end of the week. He inquired about the condition of those who are committed to their homes for more than three months only to get sick while in their homes.