KUWAIT: Kuwait's Ministry of Health announced midday Wednesday (25 February 2020) the confirmation of six new cases of COVID19 virus associated with travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran, for a total of 18 cases confirmed in Kuwait.

Meanwhile the Minister of Health Sheikh Basel Al Sabahvisited the Kuwait International Airport to inspect the medical procedures andchecks being conducted on returning airline passengers.

Yesterday, Touristic Enterprises Company announced that theKhairan Resort will be evacuated starting tomorrow (Wednesday) to be turnedinto a quarantine site for people suspected to be infected with the novelcoronavirus. This came upon a Ministry of Finance request to use the locationfor quarantine. All prior reservations will be canceled and money refunded, TECsaid.

Kuwait suspended flights from and to Iran, Iraq, Italy,Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore, as well as all arrivals from HongKong and China.

Rumors of cancellation of school, rampant on social media,have not been confirmed. Kuwait University announced today that classes arestill on as scheduled. The Ministry of Education has made no announcement todate on whether to suspend schools for one or two weeks after the holiday aswidely speculated. Senior ministry officials are reportedly set to meet Thursdayto decide whether to extend the holiday or not.

Also yesterday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry closed5 pharmacies for violating orders that set prices of masks at 100 fils forsurgical masks and 1.320 for N95 masks. The pharmacies are located in Salmiya(1) Maidan Hawally (2) Ishbiliya (1) and Rai (1). People who suspect thatpharmacies are withholding stocks or have proof of overcharging for masksshould call #135 to report the matter.

Continue checking Kuwait Times website and Instagram for updatesand information that is reliable and confirmed.