Kuwait: Over 21,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed in country as of May 24 /update 18

Kuwaiti authorities announce over 21,000 cases nationwide as of May 24; further international spread of the virus to be expected over the near term
Read all related news alert(s):
Kuwait: Authorities maintain COVID-19 restrictions December 1 /update 28
Kuwait: Authorities to cancel COVID-19 curfew from August 30 /update 27
Kuwait: Authorities announce next stage of easing of restrictions from August 18 /update 26
Kuwait: International flights to resume from August 1 /update 25
Kuwait: Government to allow citizens and residents to travel to and from the country from August 1 /update 24
Kuwait: Authorities announce third phase of COVID-19 reopening to commence on July 28 /update 23
Kuwait: Authorities advise against all international travel July 10 /update 22
Kuwait: Lockdown restrictions to be lifted in Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh from July 9 /update 21
Kuwait: Authorities to further ease COVID-19 restrictions from June 21 /update 20
Kuwait: Authorities ease COVID-19 measures from May 31 /update 19
Kuwait: Authorities announce plans to deport foreign workers who violate COVID-19 regulations May 19 /update 17
Kuwait: Authorities impose 20-day total curfew May 10 /update 16
Kuwait: Authorities impose 20-day total curfew from May 10 /update 15
Kuwait: Public sector work suspension and curfew hours extended April 20 /update 14
Kuwait: Visa extensions announced for residents April 16 /update 13
Kuwait: Government to allow commercial passenger flights to resume according to statement on April 9 /update 12
Kuwait: Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mahboula (Kuwait City) to be locked down over COVID-19 concerns for two weeks from April 6 /update 11
Kuwait: First COVID-19 fatality reported as widespread sanitization campaign begins April 4 /update 10
Kuwait: Strict sanctions for curfew violations announced April 2 /update 9
Kuwait: Government implements nationwide curfew March 22 /update 8
Kuwait: Government suspends all commercial flights from March 13 /update 7
Kuwait: Aviation authority suspends flights to and from seven countries March 7-13 /update 6
Kuwait: Government implements entry restrictions and confirms 56 COVID-19 cases March 4 /update 5
Kuwait: Government confirms 45 cases of COVID-19 February 28 /update 4
Kuwait: Civil aviation authority suspends flights to/from Singapore, Japan February 25 /update 3
Kuwait: Government restricts travel to and from South Korea, Thailand, Italy, and Iraq February 24 /update 2
Kuwait: Government confirms first coronavirus cases February 24 /update 1
Kuwait: Kuwait Airways cancels flights to Iran amid COVID-19 outbreak February 20
Event
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced on Sunday, May 24, that 21,302 cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been confirmed in the country, including 156 associated deaths. Health authorities further stated that 6117 people have so far recovered from the virus, leaving 15,029 active cases nationwide.
On Tuesday, May 19, Kuwaiti authorities announced plans for the deportation of foreign workers who violate ongoing COVID-19 measures. This comes following media reports on Friday, May 15, that 250 Bangladeshis had been deported for violating lockdown regulations during the month of April. At least 175 shops were closed in April as well on similar grounds. The announcement also covered mechanisms to evacuate foreign workers still in Kuwait, as well as the promotion of a campaign to halt the arrival of additional workers from abroad.
Authorities announced a 20-day total curfew on Friday, May 8. The curfew began at 16:00 (local time) on Sunday, May 10, and will remain in place through Saturday, May 30. All private sector activity is suspended with the exception of essential services. Residents are permitted to leave their homes from 16:30 to 18:30 and are obliged to respect social distancing measures, wear masks, and are barred from using any means of transportation. The lockdown was announced following a spike in COVID-19 cases nationwide.
Separately, expatriates whose residency cards have expired between Sunday, March 1, and Sunday, May 31, will be given three-month extensions. The extensions exclusively apply to those present in Kuwait.
Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:
- Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
- When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
- If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
Copyright and Disclaimer
GardaWorld is the owner or licensee of all intellectual property rights in the material presented on this website. All such rights are reserved.
The use of this website and its material is subject to the Terms of Use and accordingly you must not use any content from this website for commercial or other analogous purposes without our consent,
including but not limited to any deep-linking or framing in order to copy, distribute, display or monitor any portion of the website.
If you have any questions or are interested in distributing any content from this website, Contact us for more details.