The government is reported to be considering several measures to relax restrictions, in view of the improvements in epidemiological conditions and increased pace of vaccinations in recent weeks.

Some of the measures being contemplated include permitting businesses to remain open until 10pm, two hours beyond the current deadline of 8pm. The Ministry of Health had voiced its concern over extending the operating times of commercial complexes and restaurants to 11pm, as had been suggested earlier.

The ministry had planned a surge to its vaccination drive by vaccinating over 350,000 people with the second dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in two weeks. However, this plan has suffered a slight setback with a delay in the arrival of the latest batch of the vaccine.

For its part, the Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) is reported to be holding discussions on the requests submitted by several airlines to start the operation of flights from16 destinations. With summer holidays and travel season approaching, airlines are understandably eager to resume operations to popular tourism destinations from Kuwait, including many in Europe.

At present, only a few flights arrive or depart from Kuwait International Airport, as the DGCA has put a ceiling of 5,000 on the number of passengers arriving daily. So far, only limited airlines have been arriving and departing to and from Kuwait as the airport has put a 5,000 cap on passengers arriving daily. A decision on resuming flights to select destinations is expected shortly.

Meanwhile, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) announced that starting from 31 May, public gardens would open for the public from 8am to 10pm.

Deputy Director-General of Agriculture sector at PAAAFR, Eng. Ali Al-Farsi said that the decision to reopen all public gardens in all governorates, while following precautionary health measures, was made based on guidelines from the Minister of State for Municipality Affairs and Minister of State for Housing and Architectural Development Shayi Al-Shayi. Al-Farsi added that the move was intended to boost entertainment for families and children after the end of the academic year.

On a related note, the Parliamentary Health Committee last week approved a draft law to amend the Health precautions law for the prevention of communicable diseases. The amended law stipulates that the penalty, for not wearing masks and other such offenses related to communicable diseases, be reduced from the current KD100 to KD50.


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