The five-phase plan to return normalcy to Kuwait took 507 days between May 2020 and October 20, 2021, reports Al-Rai daily.
• After Kuwait imposed the partial lockdown, the first phase of return to normal life began on May 31, 2020 and ended on June 30 of the same year, although it was supposed to end on June 21.
• The second phase kicked off on June 30, 2020 and ended on July 28 of the same year, while it was supposed to end on July 21. At this stage, worshippers were allowed to perform Friday prayers, specifically on July 17, after a four-month hiatus, knowing that they were supposed to return in the third stage.
• The third phase began on July 28, 2020, and continued until August 18 of the same year. At this stage, the partial ban was supposed to be lifted, but the authorities decided against it and the curfew was imposed from nine in the evening until three in the morning.
• The fourth stage started on Aug 18, 2020, and some facilities were allowed to open such salons, sports and health clubs, tailoring shops and workshops in line with the health protocols.
• The fifth stage announced yesterday (on October 20, 2021) allows worshippers to pray in mosques without the need for social distancing as of tomorrow, Friday, Oct 22, while the rest of the activities (conferences – weddings – not wearing masks in open areas – issuing visas) will enter into force as of next Sunday. Between the fourth and fifth phases, some restrictions were re-imposed as a result of the high rate of infections and continued from Feb 3 to May 10, 2021.
• When the Council of Ministers announced the stages for the country to return to normal life in May 2020, the plan of the duration of each stage was set at between 3 and 4 weeks, but the developments of the epidemiological situation locally and globally, proved that the estimates were incorrect, as it required 14 months to move from the fourth to the fifth stage.
