KUWAIT: Students arrive to attend classes at Kuwait University for the first time in a year and a half after coronavirus restrictions were lifted yesterday. - Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Amid a decline in COVID-19 infections, Kuwait cautiously entered the fifth phase of a gradual return to normal life, with various sectors returning to full capacity. Yesterday, the airport resumed operations at full capacity. Worshippers in mosques are now praying without distancing, while the requirement to wear masks in open areas has been lifted. However, wearing of masks and maintain social distancing is still in force in closed places such as shopping malls, restaurants and cafes.

Conferences and wedding parties were also allowed to be held from yesterday, provided only vaccinated people attend and participants wear masks. The Cabinet had also asked the interior ministry and the manpower authority to start issuing all types of visas to people vaccinated with approved vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) from yesterday, but there were reports the relevant authorities are still waiting for further instructions.

The Cabinet had directed the Civil Aviation Department to operate Kuwait airport at its full capacity of around 30,000 passengers per day from yesterday. Airfares are expected to drop sharply as a result. Kuwait's land borders and sea terminals also began operations at full capacity. - Agencies

Passengers are seen at Kuwait International Airport after it resumed operations at full capacity yesterday.