KUWAIT: Worshippers perform the Friday prayers in Kuwait City on Friday, after authorities eased measures put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. - Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: More than 36,000 enrolled students at Kuwait University (KU) will attend classes at facilities after a year and half break due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, said an official yesterday. The university has implemented all health requirements and precautionary measures recommended by the Ministry of Health (MoH) related to the return of students at the first semester of the academic year 2021/2022, added the Secretary-General of the University and the official spokesman Dr Mardi Obaid Al-Ayyash in a statement.

Ayyash stated those unvaccinated against COVID-19 need to submit a PCR test every week for them to enter KU facilities. As for unvaccinated visitors' they must submit PCR test within a period not exceeding 72 hours before entering the university campus, he noted. He stated that the Security and Safety Department has provided thermal cameras to detect temperatures before entering buildings, as well as nurse staff provided in all medical clinics.

Based on the directives and decisions of the health authorities, campus visitors must have Immune or Kuwait Mobile ID applications as well as virus free PCR on a weekly basis, Ayyash added. He further noted that the MoH allocated headquarters to conduct tests to detect COVID-19 for university employees on a regular basis, and provided vaccination. He pointed out that this comes within the university's preventive plan, which aims to secure the academic year of 2021/2022 environment and guarantees the safety of students and all.

Ayyash added that the university administrations represented by the Security and Safety, Construction and Maintenance, the General Services and Nutrition departments have launched a service to communicate through emergency numbers in event of any emergencies in university.

Full capacity

Separately, Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that it is ready to operate Kuwait International Airport at full capacity, starting today. Kuwait International Airport will gradually operate commercial flights for all aviation companies in accordance with the Cabinet's decision in this regard, DGCA Director General Yousif Al-Fozan said.

The directorate succeeded in operating under the challenges and requirements of the coronavirus pandemic crisis, calling on aviation companies and passengers to abide by the COVD-19 safety restrictions needed to enter Kuwait. The Cabinet had on Wednesday announced that Kuwait International Airport would return to operate in full capacity, as part of its plan to return to normal life after the coronavirus pandemic.

Mosques meanwhile hosted on Friday their first prayers without social distancing since the pandemic started, following a Cabinet decision to end social distancing restrictions between worshipers at mosques as of this past Friday. As part of the new instructions, Kuwait ends the mask mandate outdoors as of today, while fully vaccinated people are allowed to attend conferences, weddings, and social gatherings as of today as well. Kuwait also reopens today issuing visas for those wishing to enter the country who already received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines certified by Kuwait's health ministry. - KUNA