LOC22:25
19:25 GMT
KUWAIT, May 28 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Minister of Health Dr. Sheikh Bassel Al-Sabah gave details of a five-phase plan for a gradual return to normal life, brought to a standstill by the novel coronavirus, starting with easing of curfew but locking down virus-hit areas.
Addressing an online news conference, Sheikh Bassel said the phases would begin on Sunday, May 31, and each would last for three weeks.
He said health authorities would give the go-ahead to move to the 2nd phase if the assessment of the first phase was positive. However, if the health situation was not satisfactory, the phase could extend.
"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," he said.
The first phase, he explained, included partial curfew coupled with a lockdown on Farwaniya, Khaitan and Hawally areas because they saw surge in cases.
Sheikh Bassel said activities to resume in 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 shortens to be between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., said Sheikh Bassel.
In this phase, he said, workforce in government and private sectors should be less than 30 percent, in addition to resumption of constructions, banking sector, malls opening for eight hours and according to special instructions, parks and pickups from restaurants.
Sheikh Bassel said the third phase would see an end of curfew, and health authorities would be assessing situation of areas under lockdown.
He said phase three would see increase of workforce to less than 50 percent. He added visits for social care homes would be allowed, 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.
Phase four, said the Minister of health, would see an increase in workforce, restaurants would be receiving customers but with restrictions, and public transportation resumed but with distancing.
Sheikh Bassel said all activities would resume in phase five, government and private sector returned to normal, families could gather, weddings and graduation ceremonies, health clubs and gyms to reopen, as well as cinemas and theaters.
Sheikh Bassel said success of phases depended on compliance with health instructions, like two-meter physical distancing, covering mouth and nose, hand wash and stay home.
He urged the public to be extra careful with senior citizens who suffered from chronic diseases.
"Failure to comply with these instructions could cause a setback and we go back to the previous step," he warned.
There will not be a normal life without a vaccine or a drug, he said.
Sheik Bassel addressed a message to all people in Kuwait: "Cooperate, optimism and not let down." (pickup previous)
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