Protocol Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has in a circular, addressed to all diplomatic missions, regional and international organizations accredited to Kuwait detailed the new precautionary measures initiated by Kuwait. This follows the Cabinet’s decision during its weekly session on Monday to cancel many of the earlier restrictions introduced as part of measures to fight the COVID-19 crisis.
The circular from the foreign ministry states as follows:
First: Guidelines and conditions for the immunized individuals:
- The following categories are considered fully immunized:
Individuals who have received the booster dose of the anti-Coronavirus vaccine approved by the State of Kuwait.
Individuals who received the full dose of the anti-Coronavirus vaccine approved by the State of Kuwait not more than nine months ago.
Individuals who have been infected and recovered from the Coronavirus, and a period of (3) months have not passed since the date of infection.
- Individuals who have received the full dose of the anti-Coronavirus vaccine approved by the State of Kuwait shall be considered as partially immunized.
- Individuals who have not received nor completed the anti-Coronavirus vaccines approved by the State of Kuwait shall be considered unimmunized.
- The decision is effective as of Sunday, the 20 th of February 2022.
Second: Procedures to be followed regarding travel to and from Kuwait:
- Allowing the unvaccinated individuals to travel.
- Procedures for arrival in Kuwait
- a) Fully Immunized
- PCR test is no longer required before arrival.
- PCR test is no longer required upon arrival.
- Home quarantine is no longer required after arrival.
- b) Partially Immunized
- PCR test is no longer required before arrival
- Committed to home quarantine for (7) days after arrival, with the possibility of ending the quarantine, if the PCR test confirms that the individual is free from virus.
- c) Unimmunized
- Individuals must present a negative result of the PCR test taken before 72 hours of the flight.
- The home quarantine for (7) days is applicable after arrival, with a PCR test on the seventh day, confirming that the individual is tested negative, in order to end the quarantine.
- Children under the age of 16 are excluded from this.
- The decision is effective as of Sunday 20/2/2022.
In this regard, the Council of Ministers urged all those who are coming to Kuwait, to conduct a rapid home test (RAPID TEST) if there are symptoms after returning from
travel and if a positive result, a PCR test is to be done to confirm infection with the virus.
Third: Measures to tackle the Coronavirus:
- Assigning the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to take proper measures for the removal of social distancing between worshipers during the prayers in the Mosques, by ensuring the adherence to the health requirements including
vaccination, wearing a mask, and bringing the carpet for each worshiper.
- Allowing entry to commercial complexes for all categories (both the vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals).
- Allowing the unvaccinated individuals the access to the closed places (cinemas – theaters – concert halls), provided that a PCR test confirming that they are free from the virus before 72 hours of the entry, except for children under the age of (16) years, with canceling social distancing in these places while committed to wearing a mask and sterilizing hands.
- Allowing the use of mass transportation with full capacity of the bus, with the obligation to wear a mask.
- Reconvening the training courses, meetings, conferences, and internal meetings.
- Allowing the social events of all kinds, both in the indoor and outdoor spaces, and celebrations and receptions held by diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Kuwait on the occasion of their national days and other official occasions, provided that health requirements are followed.
- The above procedures shall be implemented as of Sunday, 20.02.2022.
The return of the regular working hours in all government institutions as of Sunday, 13.02/2022.
Fourth: The health requirements for attending schools for children under the age of 16 years:
- Cancellation of the weekly PCR test for those who are not vaccinated, when attending.
- The isolation is limited to positive cases or the cases that show symptoms.
- The decision is effective as of Sunday 20/2/2022.