CAIRO: Needs of Kuwaiti citizens who are still in Egypt are being attended until further arrangements are made to ensure their safe return home, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Egypt Saleh Al-Thuwaikh said yesterday. The Ambassador's statement came during a press conference dedicated to provide updates on Kuwaitis in Egypt amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) scare.

Ambassador Thuwaikh indicated that an emergency and operation room was established in the Kuwaiti embassy since February 27 to monitor latest development concerning the coronavirus in Egypt. Last week, the embassy worked on an arrangement to bring back a batch of citizens to Kuwait, said the Ambassador, adding that the second batch was paused until Kuwaiti health authorities saw it fit to return the stranded nationals.

The Kuwaiti embassy and its diplomatic bureaus is collaborating with the Kuwaiti mission to the Arab League to make sure that the remaining citizens would be comfortable until their departure, said Ambassador Thuwaikh, revealing that some 160 Kuwaitis were put into hotels and are in continuous contact with the embassy. The embassy had located some 90 percent of its citizens in Egypt and efforts will continue contact others, he said, urging those left to contact the embassy on the 01210444448 and 01210444449 to get updated with the latest developments.

Stranded in New York
Meanwhile, a number of Kuwaiti citizens, who were stranded at JFK airport due to cancellation of flights, praised Sunday the Kuwait Consulate General for taking care of them by providing accommodation at the consulate expense. The citizens, in statements to KUNA in the hotel they were staying in New York City, thanked the consulate for arranging accommodation along with three major meals. Consul General Hamad Al-Hazeem said in a press statement that the government would spare no effort in addressing problems facing citizens abroad.

He said Kuwaitis should be extra careful amidst the rapid spread of coronavirus, citing the state of emergency in the US. The consulate, which was monitoring situation in eastern US states, was keeping a close contact with Kuwait Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Consulate in Los Angeles to arrange return of Kuwaiti citizens, he said. Hazeem said Kuwaiti nationals could contact the consulate round the clock at: 7242- 6688.

Citizens in Jordan
In the meantime, Kuwait's Embassy in Amman called on citizens in Jordan to comply with government authorities' instructions aimed at preventing spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The embassy urged citizens to stay indoors unless it is an emergency to leave, stay away from crowded places and abide by the health instructions. It renewed calls for all citizens who need help to contact the following numbers: 0096265605135, 0096265605136, 0096265605137. They can also use WhatsApp with this number: 00962798376226. The Jordanian government suspended schools and universities for two weeks, as well as air travel.

Kuwait's support
In other news, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh yesterday lauded Kuwait's support to Palestinian efforts to fight the novel coronavirus. "The State of Kuwait has offered $5.5 million in contributions to our fight against this disease," the prime minister told a cabinet meeting. He added that Kuwait and several Arab and European countries had helped the Palestinian National Authority in its ongoing efforts to control coronavirus. Meanwhile, he said a new coronavirus case was reported, bringing the total number of confirmed virus cases in Palestinian territories up to 39. - KUNA