By Jamie Etheridge
KUWAIT: Kuwait witnessed widespreadpanic shopping last night but things have returned to calm by mid-morningThursday. Around the country, locals and expatriates flocked to buy bread,canned goods, rice, flour, milk, bread, water, meat and other basic necessitiesafter the government declared a two-week public holiday in the wake of a spikein coronavirus cases in the country.
Kuwait has been dealing with anoutbreak since late February, with 80 cases of COVID-19 now confirmed thoughnot one case of community transmission reported. Hundreds of people remain inquarantine.
On Thursday, Kuwait governmentofficials confirmed that basic foodstuffs and vital services will continue tobe available. Municipality officials announced that all coops and grocerieswill remain open 24 hours to serve the public. In addition, all pharmacies, gascylinder centers, the Kuwait Flour Mills company and gas stations would be wellsupplied and open for business. Kuwait’s Port Authority also confirmed that allports remained open for cargo and shipping. The Kuwait International Airportwill stop all commercial flights from midnight Friday but cargo flights willcontinue.
The cabinet decision bannedgatherings at restaurants and cafes including those inside malls and announcedthe closure of gyms, sports and health clubs. Malls, salons and other servicesremain open for business. Traffic is normal in the streets though lighter thanduring school days. Restaurants are open for delivery or take out.
Meanwhile the government has opened amassive new testing center in the Mishref Fairgrounds to receive the thousandsof expatriates who have traveled abroad to high infection countries. In aclarification on who must come for testing, the Ministry of Health received onThursday people living in Jahra governorate who had traveled to or returnedfrom Egypt, Syria or Lebanon from 27thFebruary or thereafter.