Last Wednesday, the country finally entered the fifth and final phase of the planned stage-wise easing of restrictions that are designed to gradually return the country to normalcy.
His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, announced the Cabinet’s decision to this effect on Wednesday, saying that the country had now entered phase five of the planned gradual return to normal life.
His Highness the Prime Minister went on to thank citizens and residents for their commitment to implementing the health requirements during the past period and for their willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
In an official statement announcing the Cabinet’s decision at a media conference, the Government Communication Center Head, Tariq Al-Mezrim said that the Kuwaiti cabinet decided to drop social distancing restrictions between worshipers at mosques as of Friday, 22 October. He also noted that the cabinet decided to allow people to move outdoors without wearing facemasks, but required them to wear masks indoors with adhering to social distancing as of Sunday, 24 October.
The cabinet also permitted the holding of conferences, weddings, social gatherings, provided those who attend the event had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The relaxing of rules also applied to the issuance of visas where it was decided to begin issuing visas for those wishing to enter Kuwait provided they had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the state health authorities. And, finally, the government permitted Kuwait International Airport to resume full-scale operations from 24 October.
In mid-August of 2020 the country entered phase four of easing of restriction during which the government permitted the reopening of restaurants and cafes with social distancing measures in place, the use of public transport was also allowed to resume with social distancing rules in force, and both government and private sectors could operate with 50 percent capacity of their workforce.
Football matches could also resume, without the presence of spectators, and several restrictions that were intended to be relaxed in phase five were brought forward due to improvements in the COVID-19 epidemiological situation.
However, the country remained bogged down in phase four due to the reemergence of rapid infections in May 2021.
DGCA geared to resume full operations at KIA
Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that it was prepared to resume full operations at Kuwait International Airport (KIA), following the Cabinet’s decision to allow airport operations at 100 percent capacity from Sunday, 24 October.
The DGCA said that local, regional and international airlines were continuing to submit requests to resume or operate new flights to and from KIA. With the resumption of 100 percent operations, a total of over 50 flights and more than 25,000 passengers are expected to transit KIA every day.
Speaking on the resumption of services, Director-General of DGCA, Youssef Al-Fawzan, said the administration in all operational sectors at the directorate were fully prepared to implement the Cabinet’s decision.
He added that KIA will gradually witness the operation of regular commercial flights for all airlines during the coming period, according to the requirements and needs of travelers, while linking the Kuwait Airport with the largest global airport network. Al-Fawzan also expressed his thanks and gratitude to all employees of DGCA and KIA for their efforts, dedication and cooperation at all times.
Hotels, event organizers, upbeat on resumption of activities
The decision by the Cabinet last week to return the country to normalcy by rolling back restrictions on all activities while adhering to necessary health guidelines have resulted in a buoyancy in the market.
Hotels, restaurants, tourism and event organizers who were severely impacted by more than 18 months of restrictions on mobility of people, have voiced their optimism about the market picking up in the coming weeks and months.
Owners of halls and venues dedicated to weddings and other events were reported to be cleaning and sprucing up their locations by renovating and refurbishing halls and other venues. Prices for halls are expected to be in line with market demand, said the owner of one hall, and said it was also dependent on the rates charged by external hospitality, catering and service companies.
Meanwhile, officials in the hotel sector welcomed the cabinet’s decision to allow the holding of conferences, weddings and social events, provided that their attendance is limited to those who have been fully vaccinated. They stressed that this step will restore confidence in the sector’s activities and revive spirits, in particular for events such as conferences and wedding that contribute about 40 percent of hotel revenues
Over 500 days of living under restrictions
In the aftermath of the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, Kuwait imposed several measures that restricted the mobility of people and the closure, or limited functioning, of most businesses and educational institutions in the country. The country emerged from the 507 days of self-imposed limitations with the decision by the Cabinet last week, to return the country to normalcy.
The restrictions were gradually eased, with the first phase of relaxing restrictions beginning on 31 May 2020 and ending a month later on 30 June. The second phase then went on to 28 July during which period worshippers were allowed to perform Friday prayers. The third phase of relaxation continued until 18 August, but with curfew from nine in the evening until three in the morning.
The fourth stage, when some businesses were allowed to reopen and mobility of people were eased, began on 18 August but then extended for more than a year. With the reemergence of rapid infections and increasing fatalities, additional restrictions were reimposed on 3 February and lasted to 10 May. The fourth phase finally came to a close on 20 October with the Cabinet’s decision to return the country to normalcy.
The current fifth stage of relaxation allows worshippers to pray in mosques without the need for social distancing with immediate effect and other social and business gatherings such as conferences, exhibitions and weddings, as well as the issuing of visas would resume on 24 October.
