The Embassy of the Philippines in Kuwait today shut down its premises to the public as a staff tested positive for the coronavirus. Charges D’ Affaires Mohammad Noordin Lomondot announced through an advisory that effective today, 2 July till July 16, the embassy will be closed and suspends all services to Overseas Filipino Workers in compliance with World Health Organization and Kuwait Governments’ directives.
CDA Lomondot scheduled a mandatory swab tests for all the embassy staff and today after the results were submitted, a staff tested positive and had to go on a fourteen day quarantine while the embassy’s premises will undergo a disinfection process. Services from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Philippine Overseas Labor Office have also been suspended, however all hotlines are open should OFWs need any information or assistance.
OWWA also announced the sudden demise of its Welfare Officer in Kuwait Eduardo Bellido who suffered from a cardiac arrest after he was released from the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. OFWs in Kuwait extended their sympathy to the bereaved family and praised his hard work and kindness to Filipinos with posts on social media.
OFWs are requested to contact the numbers: Consular (Passport) Section hotlines: 6518-4433; 6990-2188, ATN Unit hotline: 6500-2612, POLO-OWWA hotline: 9403-9063. Filipinos in extremely distressed situations may contact the Kuwaiti government’s emergency hotlines: Kuwait Police: 112 (for non-COVID-19 related cases) and Kuwait Ministry of Health: 151 (for COVID-19 related cases).
Ricky Laxa / Staff Writer