KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's health is "noticeably improving," His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said Monday. His Highness the Prime Minister was assuring the ministers, while chairing a Cabinet meeting, about the health condition of His Highness the Amir, Deputy Premier, Interior Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said in a statement.

He conveyed regards of His Highness the Amir who also thanked everybody for inquiring about his health condition, said Saleh who added that ministers prayed to Allah Almighty to bless His Highness the Amir with wellbeing and his safe return to his country in near future.

Meanwhile, the government congratulated His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on occasion of Eid Al-Adha. Furthermore, the Cabinet recalled the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait that took place on August 2, 1990, and prayed to Allah to bless souls of martyrs. The government, said Saleh, expressed utmost pride in the steadfastness of the Kuwaiti people against the Iraqi aggression, and renewed gratitude for friends who contributed to the liberation of Kuwait and return of legitimacy. The Cabinet, said Saleh, also congratulated Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz for a successful surgery and wishing him lasting wellbeing.

Health measures
In the meantime, the government called on the public anew to abide by the health and preventive measures for their own safety and wellbeing. During its virtual meeting, the Cabinet urged citizens wishing to travel to acquire health insurance to cover costs of treatment in case of infections or accidents, Saleh said.

He added that citizens and expatriates returning to Kuwait should provide a PCR test 72 hours before their arrival date, and that they should spend 14 days in home quarantine following their arrival. The government took note of a regulation by the civil aviation directorate (DGCA) about non-Kuwaiti passengers from 31 countries who were not allowed to enter Kuwait whether flying directly or via transit from other countries unless they met certain criteria.

DGCA further explained that non-Kuwaiti passengers would be allowed to fly to Kuwait if they stayed in third countries for at least 14 days. After 14 days, they must conduct PCR tests for the COVID-19 virus 72 hours before departure time, and provide an approval certificate proving a negative result and not being infected with the coronavirus, the DGCA added in a press statement. Those passengers, added DGCA, should also stay for additional 14 days in home quarantine following entry into Kuwait.

The list of those countries banned from entering Kuwait includes Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal, Northern Macedonia, Panama, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka and Syria. - KUNA