Coronavirus, COVID-19
CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #68 -Violations during the Lockdown
May 18, 2020, Monday
“Every violation of the truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
When rules and guidelines are implemented, there will always be a possibility that someone may violate it. In this time of the pandemic, any violations done against the health guidelines have a significant effect on the community. In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 841 new COVID-19 cases with six additional deaths and 246 recovered cases. It brings to a total of 15,691 cases, with 118 deaths and 4,339 recoveries.
Within the new cases, 162 are Kuwait citizens, 232 are Indian residents, 194 are Egyptian residents, and 63 are Bangladeshi residents. In the governorates, there are 284 cases in Farwaniya, 212 in Hawally, 166 in Ahmadi, 82 in the Capital, and 97 in Jahra. Among the residential areas, the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh ranks the highest with a record of 99 cases. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases in the country has increased.
The Ministry of Health has released a guideline about the use of face mask or face covers in public places. The guideline entails that if the Ministerial Decision number 83 of 2020, which is the compulsory use of protective face masks, is violated, it will invoke Paragraph 1 of Article 17, an amendment by Article 1 of law number 4 of 2020. It will lead to a maximum jail punishment for three months and a maximum fine of 5,000 KD. This ministerial decision comes by the enforcement of law number 8 of 1969 and its amendments in regards to the precautionary measures to combat communicable diseases.
The announced warnings once the guideline is violated shows how stringent the authorities of Kuwait in its implementation. With this, the people in the community will be obliged to wear face masks or any face covers.
The Municipality of Kuwait announced the closing of 175 shops in the Capital Governorate due to violations against the COVID-19 precautionary measures. Overall, the inspection teams of the Municipality have issued 352 violations after inspecting 140,075 commercial establishments, which include hair salons, cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, livestock, and fish markets. They have inspected by the Cabinet and the Ministry of Health decisions.
Furthermore, the Municipality has conducted general cleaning and sanitization on the streets with 52,560 containers of disinfectants. The team has also placed notices on 2,004 neglected vehicles and have impounded another 95 vehicles. There are 37 violations and 91 warnings issued to the street vendors, while 92 violations were issued on shops. Lastly, there are 13 notices for offenses that were issued to various real estate properties.
This report shows that there are still many citizens who always do not follow the given guidelines by the authorities. Without these inspection teams, these violations will not be discovered. The inspections carried out by the Municipality contribute a lot to the country’s fight against COVID-19 disease.
On the other hand, one can register for a Leave Permission Request during the period of curfew. They can register their names and reasons through this given link by the authorities. https://curfew.paci.gov.kw/familycare/create
The link is useful to the citizens, especially to the ones prone to medical emergencies. It includes those families who have a member struggling with a medical condition in which he or she needs to be delivered to the hospital. It is also useful for those people who have important appointments to attend to. With this, they will be permitted to leave without facing any violation against the health guidelines.
It is reported that the Kaifan Cooperative Society has officially closed after 40 employees in the company have tested positive for COVID-19 disease. Out of the 250 swabs taken, 40 of them are confirmed positive. It is sad to know that another cooperative society has shut down due to the disease. These employees have significantly sacrificed for the country by providing an ample supply of basic commodities to the community.
In addition to that, it is reported that the authorities have conducted COVID-19 testing in the drive-through coronavirus testing center at the airport. It is a good thing that tests are conducted in this way. An individual does not need to step down from the car for testing. In the photos, they also conduct sterilization to the cars by spraying disinfectants to it. In this way, any virus brought with the vehicle will be disinfected.
The Ministry of Interior has helped the Egyptian truck driver who was stuck in the border between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He was staying in the border for 63 days since the day that both countries officially closed their borders. The video shows how thankful he is to the Kuwait government in saving him from his difficult situation.
In this, I will commend the action significantly taken by the Ministry of Interior towards the Egyptian driver. The authorities show compassion towards the people. I hope the citizens will also look after the other people who are suffering in their respective situations.
Another video has been posted showing the streets of Mahboula, Farwaniya, and the people walking in the Fahaheel Seaside. It is evident in the video that many people have gathered together without practicing social distancing. It happened during the walking period from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. It is tough to control the crowd during this time of the day. Many people have further suggested to cancel out this walking period and impose total curfew in this lockdown to avoid this kind of situations.
Despite this pandemic crisis that caused many community problems, it is reported that the Kuwait beaches have seen the return of hundreds of birds amidst the total lockdown. Due to less human interventions in the beaches, nature has taken over as these wild birds enjoy their freedom on the beaches without people disturbing them. Somehow, this is the right side during this crisis. Nature has started to recover on its own.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health has announced 205 new COVID-19 cases with seven additional deaths and 94 recoveries. It brings to a total of 12,718 cases, with 831 deaths and 2,729 recovered cases. Currently, there are 9,158 active cases in the country. Compared to yesterday, the new number of cases has decreased.
As the National Capital Region eases its quarantine measures, the Department of Health has issued guidelines about the employees’ resume of operations to their workplace. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire has affirmed that it is not required for the employees to undergo the COVID-19 test before returning to work. She has emphasized that symptomatic screening is ideal and conduct the test only when it is symptomatic. With this, it can be expected that agencies will implement and enforce these guidelines.
Furthermore, the first batch of 500,000 antibody rapid test kits have officially arrived in the country, which will be used for the private sectors. The delivery is led by Project Antibody Rapid Test Kit (ARK). Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion said that 205 partner companies would use the rapid test kits for their screening to their employees.
0Lastly, Malacanang has warned the public that there is a possibility that enhanced community quarantine will be implemented again if crowd control measures and physical distancing are not observed in the community. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has understood the reason why Filipinos are very excited to go into the malls after ECQ has lifted. However, the lack of discipline will result in a sudden increase of COVID-19 infections.
Today marks the 56th day of the curfew, 24th day of the Ramadan, and the 8th day of the total lockdown. Kuwait has a total of 15,691 COVID-19 cases, while the Philippines has 12,718 cases. During the period of lockdown, the authorities have inspected many violations committed by the citizens. Because of this, let us encourage other people always to follow the guidelines given by the government. Through this way, we will be able to return to our normal lives soon.
“Nadarama rin ng ating punong pari ang lahat ng kahinaan natin, dahil naranasan din niya ang lahat ng pagsubok na dumarating sa atin, pero hindi siya nagkasala.”
Hebreo 4:15
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A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books. Read more: About DiaryNiGracia
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