Report by Montaha Al-Fadhli KUWAIT, Feb 24 (KUNA) - The recently decided partial reopening in Kuwait following its lockdown measures due to the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) has led to the diversification of national celebrations this year, according to Kuwaiti specialists and academics.
Speaking to KUNA separately, they said that the fact that no national celebrations were held in the country over the past couple of years had negatively affected Kuwaiti citizens, especially children.
Ahmadi Health District Chief Dr. Ahmad Al-Shatti said the country is currently witnessing a remarkable improvement in the epidemiological situation involving a drop in infections and fatalities due to the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to the concerted efforts of health authorities and other government bodies.
The health improvement came in the aftermath of strict restrictions and measures that affected all lifestyles and social activities including the country's annual national festivities, he said.
The health official, however, boasted that Kuwait was one of the first countries that provided its people with vaccines against the virus, noting that the country's vaccination rate hit around 85 percent of its population. Dr. Yusuf Al-Failakawi, a professor of mass communication at Kuwait University, said that all religious and social activities, mainly Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha as well as national celebrations, were scrapped nationwide over the last couple of years owing to Covid-19 restrictions, just as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Regrettably, all festivals and occasions were held in the virtual format as all schools and universities were shut down, he said, expecting the same thing to take place this year due to the lingering virus ramifications.
Dr. Yaqoub Al-Kandari, a professor of anthropology and sociology at Kuwait University, predicted that this year's national celebrations marking the Liberation Day and National Day would be different on the basis of recently relaxed restrictions and precautions following the success in curbing the fourth wave of the respiratory illness.
These festivities unquestionably mirror genuine patriotism and bolster values of citizenship and societal identity. Still, participation in national celebrations should be "cautious" and health guidelines, mainly mask-wearing, be followed, he underlined.
On his part, Dr. Khidr Baroun, a professor of psychology at Kuwait University, said that all people in general and children in particular suffered psychological troubles and had persistent worries and fears over the curfew and other restrictions owing to the widespread bug.
Therefore, with the virus diminishing and infections dipping, young people and children have the right to use all their physical and mental energies to celebrate the national days, provided that they respect others. (end) mf.mt