A mother helps her child wear mask as they stand in line and wait for medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, on March 12. 2020. (Xinhua photo)
Arrivals in Kuwait are rushing for coronavirus tests as gov't has tightened precautions against the deadly virus such as suspending all commercial flights and imposing heavy penalities on violators. Kuwait has so far reported 80 infection cases, with an increase of 8 in 24 hours.
KUWAIT CITY, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Kuwait, the life of the country's residents has been flipped upside down as the Ministry of Health has taken a series of precautions against the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Kuwait has suspended all commercial flights starting Wednesday and all those who had arrived from the affected countries were required to go through medical tests.
According to the ministry's rules, any violator will be punished by an maximum of one-month imprisonment and a fine of up to 50 Kuwaiti dinars (163 U.S. dollars), or at least one of the two penalties.
People sit in line and wait for medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, on March 12. 2020. (Xinhua photo)
Waiting in a long queue at Salmiya Clinic in Hawalli Governorate, Rana Naser, an Egyptian woman who came back from her holiday last week, told Xinhua that having a test for the virus would make her feel better about being around her family.
"I have a one-year-old child. I would feel much safer if I had the coronavirus test," she said, adding the airline gave her the health card for a check at one of the nearest clinics.
Naser later tested negative for COVID-19 and went back home happily.
For Freya Anna, an Indian mother of two children, the epidemic has caused some trouble to her.
"I have to remain at home for 14 days in a self-quarantine, but my manager does not accept my absence that long," she complained.
People stand in line and wait for medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, on March 12. 2020. (Xinhua photo)
The authorities "should coordinate with the private sectors to allow us to stay healthy and get our rights," Anna added.
Emy Mamdoh who came from Egypt said the ministry checked her upon arrival with thermal cameras at the airport.
"Inside the clinic, they told me that if I had the symptoms, I should be back for a check," she said.
"The nurse told me that there will be inspectors who make random visits to my house to check if I'm home for 14 days or not," Mamdoh noted.
A man sits in wheelchair and waits for medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, on March 12. 2020. (Xinhua photo)
According to a new decision of the Kuwaiti government on Wednesday, work in all government departments are suspended until March 26, and people are banned from going to restaurants and cafes.
Kuwait has so far reported 80 coronavirus cases, with an increase of eight over the past 24 hours. ■
