KUWAIT: The list of 32 countries from which passengers are banned from traveling directly to Kuwait still awaits the health ministry's assessment to review it, Al-Rai reported quoting informed sources, noting that the entry requirement of passengers from those countries to Kuwait via a third country after spending 14 days there is still unchanged.

However, the sources described banning passengers coming directly from those countries as a 'continuation of wasted chances and opportunities' and expressed amazement at the stalling in reassessing and reviewing the list as previously declared, wondering about the worth of continuing the ban on flights from those countries despite considerable losses to the state treasury and creating economic opportunities for neighboring countries to benefit from the ban.

"Those countries are attracting travelers with promotional touristic packages for over two weeks including medical test fees and other expenses," the sources said. The source added that relevant Kuwaiti bodies had already prepared special studies in this regard in order to revive the economy in various commercial, medical, touristic and other sectors. "The study is so far not approved," the sources lamented.

Upon resuming commercial flights on August 1, Kuwait announced that flights to and from the following countries are suspended until further notice: Afghanistan, 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.

School meals
In other news, Al-Rai reported that the Ministry of Education (MoE) contacted the State Audit Bureau requesting the renewal of a contract to supply meals to kindergarten schools in some educational areas, despite the current precautionary measures taken to fight the spread of COVID-19, which necessitated opting for online education and preventing students from going to schools. In this regard, informed sources said the State Audit Bureau responded by setting three conditions to renew the contracts:

1- How often will meals be provided in various schools in view of MoE's plans to use online education in various educational stages.
2- Submitting a report from the health ministry about the possibility of serving those meals during the current circumstances.
3- A copy of the health ministry memo on the health conditions and specifications of those meals and school canteens.