This is a very comforting decision for expats
Last week, a cabinet meeting chaired by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah decided to ease travel restrictions as part of a series of easing of Kovid restrictions. The new exemptions were announced by waiving test conditions and quarantine conditions for travelers who had been fully vaccinated and by allowing those who had not been fully vaccinated to enter the country with conditions. However, in a circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation yesterday, it was informed that these concessions are applicable only to expatriates returning to the country. It was a disappointing decision for the expatriates who were waiting with high hopes to return to the country. The action of the authorities in withdrawing this decision will be of great relief to the expatriates.
Travel concessions will be effective from Sunday
The Kuwaiti cabinet meeting decided to ease the restrictions with the aim of minimizing Kovid restrictions and bringing normalcy to the country. The cabinet had earlier decided that the new exemptions would come into effect from Sunday, February 20. Expatriates are relieved that the confusion has been resolved even before the exemptions came into effect. The new decision will be of great relief to those who have not completed the vaccination by taking the booster dose and have received vaccines such as Kovacin, which is not approved in Kuwait.
Those who have been vaccinated do not need tests and quarantine
One of the most important of the exemptions is the requirement for passengers to obtain a PCR test and a negative certificate before and following departure if they wish to enter the country. This exemption is applicable to travelers who have completed vaccination. Nine months following completing two doses, they are considered fully immune only if they take the booster dose as well. However, they are considered to be fully vaccinated if they are less than nine months following taking the second dose. It is a condition that the vaccine must be taken in doses approved in Kuwait. In addition, those who have been fully vaccinated are exempted from the requirement to stay in Quarantine for a specified day following arrival in the country.
Those who have not been vaccinated will also be allowed entry
Those who have not been fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter the country from today, subject to conditions. This exemption is granted to those who have not been vaccinated at all, on the condition that they produce a negative certificate on the PCR test taken within 72 hours. They are required to stay in the quarantine for seven days following their arrival in Kuwait. On the seventh day, if the PCR test is negative, the quarantine can be terminated. However, those who have been partially vaccinated can enter the country without a PCR negative certificate. After arriving in the country, they have to stay at home quarantine for seven days. However, in the meantime, those who take a PCR test and get a negative result may end up with quarantine.
Restrictions do not apply to persons under 16 years of age
People under the age of 16 who are not required to be vaccinated are exempt from all travel restrictions. They do not need a PCR test or quarantine even if they have been vaccinated. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had earlier issued a circular to foreign airlines stating that foreign children between the ages of six and above need a negative certificate in the 72-hour PCR test to enter the country. However, in the event that the first order is amended, the provision for exemption of expatriate children below 16 years of age will apply to expatriate children as well as natives. However, no special health conditions apply to adults and children traveling outside the country. However, the conditions of the country of travel must be complied with.
Journey back to the previous state of Kovid
With the implementation of the new decision, travel through Kuwait International Airport will be fully pre-Kovid for those who have been vaccinated. In their case, the travel conditions, which have been in place for two years, are gone. Due to this, it is estimated that there will be a huge increase in the number of expatriate workers and visitors arriving in the country. The requirement for social distance in churches has also been removed as part of the easing of restrictions. All assemblies, including indoor, are permitted. It was decided at the cabinet meeting that the government offices would be functioning at full capacity from March 13. Public transport will also be allowed to operate at full capacity. At the same time, passengers will be required to wear a mask.
