KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality said on Saturday it recently carried out its largest shop closures under phase two of coronavirus lockdown easing, with a total of 122 forced shut due to a lack of health standards and commitment to social distancing. Some nine closures included the “Friday Market, a large supermarket in Mirqab and a famous furniture company at a mall,” Municipality Director Ahmad Al-Manfouhi said in a statement.

They come after 113 shops were sealed off before the June 30 phase two of lockdown easing. The Municipality will not hesitate to shut down any shop or market found not complying with health and safety precautions issued by the Cabinet and the Ministry of Health, he said. The official added that after being granted approval for the reopening, health authority precautions and social distancing rules at the Friday Market were not observed, therefore the decision was taken to close the outdoor venue.

Meanwhile, Manfouhi led a Municipality team that went on an inspection tour at Mubarakiya Market yesterday to check on shops’ compliance with precautions set by authorities to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). — KUNA