KUWAIT: A plane carrying Kuwaiti citizens from London arrived in Kuwait International Airport Sunday, the last aircraft of the first phase of a plan to repatriate nationals from countries hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19). The repatriation is part of an operation conducted jointly by the foreign, health and interior ministries, custom and fire departments and in coordination with Kuwait Airways, Directorate General for Civil Aviation said on its Twitter account. Three planes - two from Tehran and one from Paris - returned home earlier Sunday.

Two planes returned Saturday; one from New York and another from London. Three aircrafts from Spain, Britain and Italy repatriated citizens on Friday; a day after nationals were brought back from Frankfurt, London and Abu Dhabi. The first repatriation day started last Wednesday when Kuwait Airways operated flights from Lebanon, Egypt and Bahrain. The first phase of the repatriation plan, which meets criteria of the health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO), ended Sunday.

Daily follow up
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah said that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah followed up the repatriation of Kuwaiti citizens on a daily basis. He made the remarks after a meeting with parliament speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and more than 20 MPs at the speaker's office, to discuss latest developments related to coronavirus.

"I conveyed to the speaker and members of parliament that His Highness the Amir was closely and daily following up the conditions of our sons abroad, as well as follow up of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah," Sheikh Ahmad said in a statement.

He said they discussed conditions of Kuwaiti citizens and the repatriation process, as well as explaining the short and medium-term repatriation plans. Sheikh Dr Ahmad commended the "national and responsible" role of the speaker and members of parliament in supporting the government's measures to confront spread of coronavirus as well as ensuring safety of the citizens. - KUNA