Kuwaiti Cabinet:
Jan 11: The Cabinet allowed importation of domestic workers, requiring them to bring PCR certificates showing negative coronavirus tests.
Jan 12: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received the government resignation from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah.
Jan 13: Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled submitted the government's resignation to His Highness the Amir.
Jan 24: His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, re-appointed as Kuwait's Prime Minister, stressed enhancing the relationship between the government and the National Assembly to achieve the desired goals.
Jan 25: The Cabinet approved state budget for fiscal year 2021-22 with approximate expenditure amounting to KD 23.048 billion and projected income at KD 10.929 billion.
Jan. 27: Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled stated while meeting with editors-in-chief of local newspapers that the government has referred, to Public Prosecution, 122 cases of misappropriation of public funds, 1,691 cases encroachment on state property and 282 cases of trading in expatriates' residencies.
Jan. 27: Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah stated while meeting with editors-in-chief of local newspapers, that up to 35,000 citizens and residents got vaccinated against COVID-19. He said shipments of vaccines have stopped around the world because suppliers are re-examining the needs.
Feb. 3: The Cabinet ordered closure of all trade facilities, except pharmacies and food supplying outlets from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. starting February 7.
Feb. 3: Kuwaiti government ordered a full shutdown of gyms, resorts, beauty salons, also banning gathering halls and tents starting February 7.
Feb.3: The Cabinet imposed a two-week ban on entry of non-Kuwaitis to the country, except foreigners who are first-degree relatives of Kuwaitis and domestic workers starting from February 7.
Feb. 3: The national fund for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises postponed instalments on borrowers in a bid to alleviate hardships caused by Covid-19.
Feb. 16: Kuwaiti Cabinet allowed resumption of sport activities.
Feb. 16: The Cabinet approved increasing financial incentives for business owners who faced suspension due to Covid-19.
March 2: A new 15-member cabinet is formed, with the inception of State Ministry for integrity (Nazaha) affairs and State Ministry for communication and Information Technology.
March 4: Cabinet imposes a 12-hour (5:00 pm to 5:00 am) curfew from March 7 to April 4.
March 8: Cabinet approves a draft decree appointing Ambassador Majdy Al-Dhifeeri as deputy foreign minister.
March 15: Cabinet approves a draft law to finance local banks and those financially impacted by COVID-19.
March 15: Cabinet approves a draft decree appointing Wael Al-Asoussi as Council of Ministers' Secretary General.
March 29: Cabinet opens a KD-600-million account to cover frontline rewards. It also approved designating the southern island on Jaber Causeway as a drive-thru vaccination center.
April 1: Kuwait extended the night curfew until April 22 from 7:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. However, Pharmacies, grocery stores, and essential services remained open during curfew hours.
April 12: The government decided during a meeting the following:
- Allow male worshippers to perform the Taraweeh (late night) prayers for 15 minutes.
- Mosques close following each prayer, while lectures and other activities in mosques are banned.
- Iftar (fast-breaking) and suhur (pre-dawn) meals are banned in mosques and public places. Distributing charity meals without causing gathering is allowed.
- People who did not get COVID-19 vaccination are to pray at home as a precaution.
- Approve health authorities' request on using fourth group of Pakistani medical workers to help fight COVID-19.
April 19: The government extended the curfew which was imposed on 22 April until the end of Ramadhan.
April 26: The Cabinet approved the draft law of the penal code 16/1960 stipulating imprisonment and financial penalties on any person who may threaten to damage individuals' reputation or his financial resources.
April 26: The Cabinet agreed to join an Arab treaty concerning transfer and transplant of human organs and barring trade in these organs.
April 26: The Cabinet approved a draft law of a technical education accord between Kuwait and Sierra Leone, a cooperation agreement with Indonesia in higher education studies and scientific research.
April 26: The Cabinet decided to send oxygen supplies and relief items to India.
May 10: Kuwait's Cabinet decided the following:
- Partial curfew imposed nationwide to combat the spread of COVID-19, will be lifted on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr.
- All commercial establishments shut from 8:00 pm until 5:00 am, whereas pharmacies, supermarkets, healthcare providers, restaurants, cafes and maintenance services are excluded from the decision.
- Cinemas and theaters are opened in Eid Al-Fitr only for vaccinated people.
- Restaurants and cafes are allowed to receive orders for takeaways only.
- Employee's attendance should not exceed 60 percent of total workers.
May 18: Cabinet allowed restaurants and cafes to receive people for dine-in with the implementing of health precautions.
May 18: The Cabinet appointed Maryam Al-Aqeel, as head of the Civil Services Commission (CSC).
May 18: Kuwaiti Cabinet approved urgent relief aid to Palestinians in Gaza who had been attacked by the Israeli occupation forces.
June 7: The Cabinet decided to resume direct flight to the United Kingdom as of Sunday June 13, as well as to reopen museums and cultural institutions and facilities.
June 7: The Cabinet approved a draft law on state budget for fiscal year 2020-21 with an additional appropriation of KD 600 million for front line workers.
June 17: Foreigners vaccinated with approved vaccines -- Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Moderna and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson - were allowed to enter the country on August 1.
June 17: Kuwait allow access to most public venues only for fully vaccinated people, smartphone app "Immune" will be proof of immunization.
July 5: The government allowed operation of direct flights to Azerbaijan on July 7 and approved KD 600 for frontline workers.
July 12: The government decided to cease children activities including summer clubs.
July 26: The government decided to reopen children activities' facilities, allowed non-vaccinated to enter pharmacies, cooperative societies and super markets, and operating direct flights to the Maldives.
July 28: The government assigned ministers to implement short, medium and long-term projects.
Aug. 4: The government decided to resume public sector's regular working hours as of August 15.
Aug. 11: The government approved a draft decree to appoint Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah as Minister of Amiri Diwan.
Aug 17: The government instructed state departments to cut 2021-22 budgets but at least 10 percent.
Aug 18: The government decided to resume commercial flights to India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Sept 2: His Highness the Prime Minister launched Sahel mobile application which aimed at facilitating procedures.
Sept 6: The government allowed return of sport fans starting 2021-22 season.
Sept 16: The government assigned ministers of health and information to produce a documentary about health care workers and victims of the coronavirus.
Sept 16: The government appointed General Sheikh Faisal Nawaf Al-Sabah as MoI's Undersecretary.
Sept 20: The government approved appointment of Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as head of the Diwan of His Highness the Crown Prince.
Oct 10: Head of His Highness the Prime Minister's Diwan Abdulaziz Al-Dekheel announced a strategy for 2021-24, which was based on effective leadership.
Oct 11: The government allowed exhibition and commercial activities in open air but in line with health regulations.
Oct 18: The government allowed an MoU over domestic workers with India.
Oct 20: The government announced restoration of normal life including holding of conferences, weddings and social occasions but for vaccinated only and wearing of masks was mandatory. It also relaxed masks requirement in open areas. The airport was restored to full capacity.
Nov 27: The government suspended direct commercial flights with South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Estwani, Zambia and Malawi due to discovery of new Covid-19 variant. (end) ed