Kuwait warns of tougher restrictions if Covid-19 precautionary measures are not followed

Kuwait warns of tougher restrictions if Covid-19 precautionary measures are not followed

Kuwait's health minister Sheikh Dr Bassel Al-Sabah has warned of tougher restrictions in the country if people fail to adhere to the Covid-19 precautionary measures currently in place.

The warning comes amidst a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the country in recent weeks.

In remarks made at a National Assembly special session on Tuesday, Al-Sabah said that the number of hospitalised cases at public hospitals has reached 585, while the intensive care now has 138 cases.

He stressed on the public to wear masks, maintain social distancing and avoid gatherings, official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported. Al-Sabah also urged everyone to take the Covid-19 vaccine to curb the spread of the virus.

Al-Sabah also denied that expatriates were the main cause for the spread of the virus. "It's untrue that expats are the ones who transfer the infection. Only very few cases come from abroad. Infection is widespread among citizens, who account for 60 per cent of the cases, and expats 40 per cent, many of them domestic helpers,“ he said.

"We are now at the fourth stage of restoration of normal life, with the transfer of two activities from fifth stage (to fourth one), which are salons and health clubs,