KUWAIT, Dec 26 (KUNA) -- In 2022, Kuwait witnessed several major developments and events related to the Kuwaiti government, including a decision to scrap all Covid-19 restrictions, along with a cabinet reshuffle.
The following is a list of major events and activities connected with the Kuwaiti government: Jan 3: Kuwaiti Government decided to bar holding all kinds of peoples' gatherings in closed places until February 28, as well as obliging incoming travelers to undergo a PCR test 72 hours ahead of arrival in the country.
Jan 10: The Kuwait Cabinet decided to re-impose health restrictions to curb the surge of coronavirus (Covid-19) after the infection rate in the country hit all-time high, by bringing down the attendance rate at government institutions to no more than 50 percent according to the requirements of each institution and in coordination with the Civil Service Commission.
Jan 17: The Cabinet decided to enforce a seven-day home quarantine for the immunized incoming travelers.
Jan 20: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sponsored and attended firefighting exercise by Kuwait Fire Force (Shamel-7) in Arifjan, with the participation of 27 government parties.
Feb 14: The Kuwaiti cabinet abolished almost all coronavirus restrictions, and decided the following: 1- Allowing unvaccinated people to travel abroad and enter malls and shopping centers.
2- Scrapping pre-departure, post-arrival PCR test and home quarantine requirements for arrivals who got three shots of the Kuwaiti-authorized vaccines.
3- The double-jabbed arrivals will be exempted from the pre-departure PCR test only as they still need to quarantine for seven days after entering the country but they can end the quarantine at any time if they presented a negative PCR test.
4- Unimmunized arrivals, however, have to submit a certificate of a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours before the departure and must quarantine at home for seven days and conduct a PCR test after the end of the quarantine period affirming that they are not infected.
5- Unvaccinated young arrivals, who are under 16 years old, are exempted from these tests and quarantine measures.
6- The cabinet said the loosening of these restrictions would be effective as of Sunday 20 February. Feb 17: An Amiri decree was issued accepting the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Feb 19: His Highness Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah attended, under his patronage, the first heritage live show (Dar Al-Jamayel) at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC).
Feb 21: The Kuwaiti Cabinet, in its weekly meeting, decided to: 1- Examining a draft law to approve the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention for criminal acts committed against cultural property.
2- Approving the State of Kuwait joining a pan-Arab commercial services' agreement.
3- Approving a draft MoU between the Kuwaiti and Saudi governments in the fields of sports and youth.
March 7: The cabinet agreed to donate USD five million in aid for Afghanistan, and USD two million for Ukrainian refugees through the UN, its agencies and the Red Cross. March 9: An Amiri decree was issued for appointing retired General Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as first deputy prime minister and interior minister, and Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as first deputy prime minister and defense minister.
March 14: Kuwait cabinet allowed government employees to exchange unused vacation days for cash.
March 22: Kuwaiti Government Communication Center Chairman and Government Spokesman Tareq Al-Mezrem announced assigning Dr. Mohammad Al-Fares as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Al-Mousa as Minister of Public Works and Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, and Mohammad Al-Rajhi as Minister of State for National Affairs and Minister of State for Youth Affairs.
April 27: Ministry of Health updated the Kuwaiti cabinet on COVID-19 measures, which included making masks optional indoors and outdoors, allowing individuals to enter public places regardless of vaccination status, and other decisions geared toward bringing life back to normalcy.
May 10: An Amiri order was issued accepting the resignation of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and the cabinet, and instructed the governmental to act as care-taker until a new government was formed.
May 13: Kuwait announced three days off and lowering flag half-mast for 40 days to mourn the death of the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
May 23: The cabinet formed a ministerial committee to bolster food security and water to supervise the situation in Kuwait and counter any threats to the food security system due to disaster or crisis.
May 31: The cabinet approved a draft law assigning the new members of the municipal council and forwarded the document to the leadership for approval.
July 24: An Amiri order was issued assigning Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as Prime Minister. He was tasked with nominating members of the new cabinet and referring the list to His Highness the Amir.
Aug 1: Decree 135/2022 was issued on forming the government, which consisted of 12 ministers. Aug 2: The cabinet approved the draft resolution on dissolving parliament and referred the bill to His Highness the Amir.
Aug 2: His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah swore the constitutional oath as Prime Minister and introduced members of his cabinet to His Highness the Crown Prince.
Aug 17: The cabinet approved a draft decree enabling voting through the Civil Identification Cards and a decree to include new areas in the first, second, fourth, and fifth constituencies.
Aug 22: The cabinet approved numerous agreements and MoUs with states in the region and friendly nations across the globe.
Aug 28: Decree 147/2022 was issued calling for National Assembly elections to be held on September 29.
Sept 8: The cabinet ordered the lower of flags on public establishments for three days to mourn the death of British Queen Elizabeth II.
Sept 23: The Center for Government Communication (CGC) announced the near opening of Kuwait Winter Wonderland in the winter season.
Oct 1: The cabinet approved a draft decree on the National Assembly to convene its first regular session of the 17th legislative term on October 11, 2022. The cabinet also tendered its resignation to His Highness the Amir, who accepted the resignation the following day and tasked the government to act as caretaker until a new government was formed.
Oct 5: An Amiri decree was issued to form the new cabinet headed by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Oct 8: A decree was issued postponing the first regular session of the 17th legislative term for the National Assembly until October 18.
Oct 16: An Amiri decree was issued to reform the government led by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf.
Oct 24: The cabinet approved a draft decree appointing top posts at the courts of appeal and cessation.
Nov 7: The cabinet approved decrees adjusting the ranks of some ministers and assigning figures to top national entities including Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) with Dr. Fatema Al-Salem becoming director-general amongst others.
Nov 21: The cabinet approved a draft decree 2018/2022 in regards to special amnesty pertaining to a number of citizens for crimes, which occurred between November 16, 2016, and December 31, 2021. (end) kt