KUWAIT: The Ministry of Finance is sterilizing and clearing Al-Kout hotel after the Ministry of Health ended its use of the facility as a quarantine, an official said yesterday, to prepare for its use by guests. Adel Al-Mannae, Finance Assistant Undersecretary for Services, said the sterilization process was underway to hand over the hotel. Al-Mannane said the process was taking place in coordination with the ministry of health. The finance ministry is responsible for the quarantines, which are sterilized and cleaned once quarantine ends.

Citizens' evacuation
KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways is ready to receive orders to evacuate more citizens from abroad, Board Chairman Youssef Al-Jassem said yesterday. In a press release, Jassem stressed that the Kuwait Airways' fleets, staff, and crew members will answer the call of duty whenever needed. He affirmed that Kuwait Airways will use all of its assets to serve the Kuwaiti people in these trying times.

Violators penalized
KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said yesterday that three commercial stores and a number of vegetable vendors' stands were closed for violating regulations against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The ministry said in a statement that teams inspected 238 pharmacies, issued 72 penalty notifications to commercial stores for breaching laws and allowed re-opening nine others after receiving pledges to tackle the violations.

The inspection teams have also examined 23 branches of supply centers for the Flour Mills Company and bakeries to ensure easy sales and work. It warned traders against bids to take advantage of the current extraordinary circumstances in the country.

Legal action
KUWAIT: Since coronavirus emerged in Kuwait, a of total 23 accounts on social media have been taken to the Public Prosecution for posting misinformation and panicking people, said Minister of Information Mohammad Al-Jabri, adding that his ministry would resolutely face these accounts for stirring public panic and tensions.

Meanwhile, the minister reassured that the Gulf country has enough food stock to meet public needs for several months to come, citing identical remarks by other ministers in this regard. He added that all state agencies are on high alert for fighting the novel coronavirus, with the virus response team trying hard to put the situation under control.

Stiff measures
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Public Prosecutor Dherar Al-Asousi warned that stiff measures would be taken against rumormongers who insist on posting misinformation and fabrications about coronavirus on social media, websites and media. He vowed in a press statement that anyone who may circulate false data and news about measures taken by state agencies to fight coronavirus, or air posts that could stir public panic or undermine state homage and public morals would be inevitably brought to legal accountability.

He added that the Public Prosecution had received several reports from the ministries of interior and information against some individuals and websites in this regard. The top Kuwaiti prosecutor, therefore, urged mass media and websites to ensure accuracy and to get information from official sources. - KUNA