KUWAIT, June 17 (KUNA) -- Kuwait said on Thursday it would allow access to most public venues only for fully vaccinated people, in an effort to contain the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant, which has been behind a sharp rise in new infections.
As per the new rules, in effect as of June 27, only those who have had both doses of a COVID vaccine will be allowed into large shopping malls, gyms and salons, in addition to state bodies that provide services, government spokesman Tareq Al-Mezrem told a press conference.
On public venue admission for those vaccinated, a smartphone app called "Immune" will be valid proof of immunization and subsequent entry to these venues, he said.
As of August 1, only vaccinated Kuwaitis will be allowed to travel overseas, he added, citing exemptions including age groups ineligible to get inoculated and those unable to get the jab for health reasons, in addition to non-vaccinated pregnant women with valid maternity certificates. Foreign arrivals will be allowed into Kuwait as of August 1, provided they have been vaccinated with shots approved in the country, which are the vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Moderna and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson, he said.
Non-Kuwaitis coming to the country are required to provide a negative COVID test at least 72 hours before arrival, before being subject to a seven-day home quarantine that would finish when they test negative for COVID-19, the spokesman clarified. (end) fn.jy.nam