KUWAIT: Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah issued a ministerial decision Sunday to adopt the necessary mechanism in implement "home quarantine procedures", in a manner that ensures the preservation of health and safety to all. The decision is within the framework of efforts and measures taken by the ministry to confront the spread of coronavirus, known as COVID-19. The mechanism, according to the decision paper, includes procedures to be followed by the person in home quarantine.

One of the main aspects of the decision is to ensure choosing a separate room from the rest of the family, preferably a separate floor, with a separate bathroom, and if a separate bathroom is not available, a shared bathroom must be cleaned after each use. Among the procedures also is making sure to open windows, ventilating the room continuously, not mixing with the rest of the family at home, refraining from receiving visitors and not leaving the quarantine area. In the event of any medical emergency, those in quarantine can call the designated number from by ministry, which is (151).

Usage of phone is essential when you need to communicate with anyone at home, including responding to emails for daily follow-up regarding health symptoms and temperature and not to share your personal belongings with anyone, and ensure that it is clean and sterilized.

The procedures emphasized the continuous sterilization of surfaces and door handles, not sharing towels with other people at home. The procedures, among other things, also focused on eating separately and not with the family members. The minister's decision also stressed ensuring that adequate medical supplies are available at home in the event of suffering from a chronic illness.

The decision also highlighted procedures that must be followed by family members and other residents with the person in the home quarantine. The minister noted that quarantined individuals must use the smartphone application 'Shlonik' to follow their status or situation at home, and to be able to communicate with them and check on their health and make sure they adhere to home quarantine procedures. The decision also assigned teams by the Ministry of Health that will make unannounced visits to quarantine individuals, and a report will be prepared from doctors or health inspectors on each case.

Institutional quarantine
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said Sunday that among the citizens who recently arrived in the country, 42 were transferred to compulsory institutional quarantine on suspicion of coronavirus symptoms, while 1,187 were converted to home quarantine.

Health Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs and General Supervisor of Medical Examination Centers at Kuwait International Airport Dr Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi affirmed that four cases were transferred to complete their treatment in the hospitals for other health reasons. Mutairi stated that the total number of citizens who were on the first 11 evacuation flights amounted to 1,233.

Kuwait Airways on Sunday operated a total 12 flights to bring overseas nationals back to Kuwait due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide. The incoming flights, which are part of a three-day repatriation plan, include three from Riyadh, three from Manama, two from each Abu Dhabi and Dubai and one from each Muscat and Doha.

The national carrier stands properly prepared for the "grand repatriation" process since it has harnessed all its energies to bring in Kuwaiti nationals abroad, the airline's Board Chairman Yousef Al-Jassem said in a statement. "Kuwait Airways is keen on playing its due part in this regard, given that it is the main national carrier of the State," he said. The airline has some 40 flights to run in the first three days of the repatriation period.

The Cabinet had adopted a phased process to bring back Kuwaiti citizens abroad. The plan envisages five phases: the first started today and lasts until Tuesday, covering Kuwaitis who completed medical treatment abroad along with their companions, also tourists or those who were on official assignments. The second stage (April 23) covers patients who need medical beds and life support equipment. The third one (April 25-May 1) targets students, the fourth (May 3-4) for diplomats and the fifth (May 6-7) for other segments. - KUNA