Kuwait has now revealed a five-phase plan to return to normal life. However the success of the plan very much depends on the public and the overall compliance with the health instructions issued.
“If indicators are positive we move to the next phase. If no indicators are safe in any phase, we will remain in the current phase for a longer time or go back to the previous phase,” – Kuwait Minister of Health Dr. Sheikh Bassel Al-Sabah
The first phase included partial curfew coupled with a lockdown on Farwaniya, Khaitan and Hawally areas because of a surge in cases. He said activities to resume in the first phase included home deliveries of restaurants, telecommunication companies, food retailers, companies’ transportation of employees, gas stations, private clinics and car workshops.
The second phase will see the curfew shortened to between 9pm and 6am. In this phase, said Dr Al-Sabah, workforces in government and private sectors should be less than 30 percent, in addition to the resumption of work in the construction sector, banking, malls opening for eight hours and according to special instructions; parks and pick-ups from restaurants.
The third phase would see an end of curfew, and health authorities would be assessing situation of areas under lockdown. Workforces would increase to less than 50 percent and visits to social care homes would be allowed, as well as the reopening of hotels, resorts and hotel apartments. Taxis will be allowed to operate with only one passenger, and mosques would be allowed to perform Friday prayers.
Finally, the fourth phase would see an increase in workforce, restaurants would be receiving customers but with restrictions, and public transportation resumed but with distancing.
