Kuwait’s civil aviation authority has presented a set of rules for the safe resumption of air travel, as the country prepares to open its airport for commercial flights next month while assuaging travel concerns for coronavirus-wary passengers.
The protocols encompass measures including random testing on passengers arriving in and departing Kuwaitآ’s International Airport, Eng. Saleh Al-Fadaghi, the Directorate General of Civil Aviationآ’s (DGCA) deputy director general for airport affairs, said in a statement.
The new rules mandate all travellers to wear protective face masks and keep a hand sanitizer in their possession, besides strictly abiding by social distancing guidelines, he clarified.
As per the new guidelines, departing passengers are required to provide negative COVID-19 test results before boarding their flights if required by the country of final destination, where they will be instructed to keep hand luggage to a minimum, he said.
He went on to explain that manual checks of tickets have now been scaled back as a result of the pandemic, in favor of more popular digital and e-tickets whose scanning require no physical contact.
The new measures call on passengers to be present at the airport no less than four hours before departure, ensuring a smooth and convenient journey, added the official.
Commercial flights at Kuwaitآ’s International Airport will resume from August 1 after a four-month hiatus, part of a three-stage resumption plan starting at no more than 30 percent capacity. A new app/website specially developed for travellers is expected to be launched shortly
Departures
Registration on Kuwait Traveler application/website, the PCR certificate if required, and health insurance for the treatment of Corona
- Registering on Kuwait–Traveler application and submitting the relevant “barcode” at all stages of travel.
- Obtaining a health certificate issued by laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Health, proving free from Corona virus if necessary, according to the requirements of each country while adhering to the required period of validity.
- Citizens must obtain travel health insurance that covers treatment for the “Covid 19” virus.
- Adhere to health requirements in terms of wearing masks and gloves, the use of sterilizers and adherence to social distancing.
Arrivals
Registration on Shlonik application, PCR certificate, and home quarantine for 14 days, and the possibility of undergoing a random test for Corona. For the incoming travelers, the Civil Aviation Administration also stipulated the following:
- Download and register on “Shlonik ” application before boarding the plane.
- Obtaining an accredited health certificate (PCR) proving the negative incidence of Covid 19 disease with a validity period of 96 hours from the date of examination.
- All incoming passengers will be subject to a home quarantine period of 14 days.
- Checking the temperature of all passengers before boarding and upon arrival.
- Perform random PCR test on 10% passengers upon arrival per flight.
- Adhere to health requirements in terms of wearing masks and gloves, the use of sterilizers and adherence to social distancing.