Coronavirus, COVID-19
CORONAVIRUS: KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #88 – The Shine of Hope in this Isolation
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Isolating oneself from the public is an effective way in this health crisis. For that, the governments imposed quarantine protocols in their respective countries to contain the virus. Despite the implementation, each of us continues to see our shining hope as we support each other in this COVID-19 pandemic.
In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health reported 717 new COVID-19 cases with ten additional deaths and 923 recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 31,848 cases with 264 fatalities and 20,205 recovered cases. Within the new cases, 331 are Kuwait citizens, 88 are Bangladeshi residents, 81 are Egyptian residents, 79 are Indian residents. In the governorates, there are 241 cases in Farwaniya, 204 in Ahmadi, 139 in Jahra, 74 in Hawally, and 59 in the Capital. Among the residential areas, Ardiya is the highest with 51 cases. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases increased.
The Schedule of Reopening of Mosques
After Kuwait’s extensive preparation of the mosques, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs officially announced that the mosques would reopen this coming Wednesday of June 10, 2020. After being closed for almost three months, its operations will finally resume.
According to the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Fahad Al-Afasi, the mosques located in the model residential areas and sparsely populated areas will receive our Muslim brothers for the five daily prayers at the noon of the assigned date. They will perform the weekly Friday noon sermon and prayer at the Grand Mosque of Kuwait city. For the community, the authorities will broadcast it on the official Kuwait TV. In the mosques, they will only allow the mosque’s preacher and staff inside. Lastly, they completed their preparations in opening the mosques with the compliance of precautionary and preventive health measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Three-phase Plan for the Commercial Flights
The Minister of State for Service Affairs and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Mubarak Al-Haris announced the organized plan for the resumption of operations of commercial flights. It involves three progressive phases developed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
After the meeting with the officials, they affirmed that the Kuwait International Airport could resume its services only at 30 percent of its overall capacity. The second stage will increase to 60 percent until it goes back to normalcy in the final step. The Minister stressed the DGCA’s keenness in developing their plan, as they make sure that it complies with the imposed health precautionary measures. I am glad that domestic flights can resume their operations soon.
The situation of Cooperative Societies
Another saddening update came about the situation of our cooperative societies. In the Qortuba Cooperative Society, 34 of their workers tested positive. The same thing happened in the Qairawan Cooperative Society, as 33 employees contracted the disease. I give my thanks to these employees for serving valiantly for the community. I hope for their steadfast recovery.
The Situation in the Isolated Areas
Residing in isolated areas can be difficult. After the implementation of total lockdown, the authorities imposed stringent measures within the region to contain the spread of COVID-19 disease. However, it greatly affected the livelihood and daily lifestyle of the citizens and residents within the area. The authorities reported that installed makeshift markets along the streets to gain financial income amid the imposition of isolation.
The images show that the people are finding ways to live on their own, especially with the ongoing “No Work, No Pay” situation. However, hope still shines within these isolated areas. In Jleeb, the Red Crescent distributed food packages for the community. It symbolizes that many people are always willing to help each other during this health crisis.
It is important to remember that unity and assistance with each other is one of humankind’s main characteristics. I am very grateful to the authorities and organizations who continued to help the people in need. I salute to the volunteers and sponsors for having a large and generous heart. In times of trial, we need every inch of support from each other.
Today marks the 75th day of the curfew and the 8th day of the government’s first-phase plan. We are on our way to our recovery. Therefore, we should remain strong as we put our trust in our frontliners and strengthen our compliance with the implemented guidelines.
List of Unclaimed Passports from January
The Philippine Embassy of Kuwait released the complete list of individuals who still have not claimed their passports from January of 2020. The names listed within the photos must claim their new passports immediately in June. If they failed to claim their passports until July or after six months from its releasing date, the Embassy would cancel it.
Therefore, they advised individuals to visit the Embassy. They will be open from Sunday to Thursday at 7:00 am until 11:00 am. Online appointment is not needed to claim their passports. Lastly, they must bring their refreshments to combat the heat brought by the weather.
For further information, one can visit the official Facebook page of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait through this link. https://www.facebook.com/PHinKuwait/
Added Precautionary Measures for the Repatriated OFWs
On the update of the return of OFWs to their respective hometowns, the Malacanang reiterated the local government units (LGUs) to impose additional health precautionary measures at each of their provinces. It is to ensure that the repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers are COVID-19 free.
They reminded the LGUs after receiving multiple reports that some OFWs contracted the virus upon arriving at their respective provinces. One OFW returning in Palawan and two more in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental tested positive despite their negative results back in Manila. Even if they undergo facility-based quarantine protocols and COVID-19 testing in Metro Manila, the possibility of testing positive is still present. Therefore, the LGUs must be cautious in receiving the repatriated OFWs.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque affirmed that COVID-19 testing gives the OFWs’ health status at that particular moment. Even if they tested negative, they could still be infected while traveling back to their provinces. Exercising all precautions is necessary to prevent any further outbreak in our provinces.
As of now, the country expects 300,000 more OFWs who will return to the Philippines, as each of their host countries send them home. With this, the Philippine government requires all of them to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing as their medical examination. Then, the authorities will put them under facility-based quarantine to ensure everyone’s safety and welfare.
I commend the Philippine government for being very cautious about the condition of the repatriated OFWs. I firmly believe that they should be given a chance to return to their respective home provinces. However, it does not mean that precautionary measures will be ignored. Therefore, I hope that the LGUs will not be giving the coronavirus a chance in propagating to the home provinces of our fellow OFWs. For that, I wish good health for them as they unite back with their families.
Nawa ang Dios na nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa ang siya ring magbigay sa inyo ng buong kagalakan at kapayapaan dahil sa inyong pananampalataya sa kanya, para patuloy na lumago ang inyong pag-asa sa pamamagitan ng Banal na Espiritu.”
Roma 15:13
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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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