CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #03 – A Meeting of the Ministers

March 14, 2020, Saturday

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes: but no plans.”

Peter F. Drucker

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase globally, the world needs a definitive and reliable strategic plan to implement. It calls for all the leaders of the community to meet together to solve this crisis. In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health announced four new COVID-19 cases with two successful recoveries. It brings to a total record of 104 cases with seven recoveries in the country.

Within the latest cases, two of them are Kuwait citizens with travel history to the United Kingdom, one Kuwait citizen with travel history to Qatar and France, and one Indian resident with confirmed travel to Azerbaijan. There are six patients admitted in the intensive care unit, in which two are critical, and the rest are stable. Overall, the Health ministry conducted 8,298 samples for the COVID-19 test today. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases decreased.  

The Ministers of Health of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have met through video conference. It includes the countries of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The primary subject of the discussion is about the latest developments in the COVID-19 disease. The meeting also reviews each country’s current situation regarding the pandemic, how the countries can coordinate, and how they can face the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.   

Through this video conference, they were able to gather information on how to solve this world crisis. It is good to hear because we can see how the countries of the GCC cooperate in this matter. The unit as one to plan the possible actions that they will implement. It may include the enforced procedures in the points of entry in the respective regions.

Following the meeting of the Civil Defense Committee today, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Civil Defense Committee, Anas Al-Saleh says that he will devote all capabilities in securing and ensuring the safety of the citizens in Kuwait as instructed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The developments of the COVID-19 disease and the efforts made by the ministries are the meeting’s main agenda. The leaders of the Ministries of Defense, Interior, National Guard, Education, and other concerned authorities can plan effectively for the best approach to this pandemic.

The Ministry of Interior conducted a noteworthy strategy in extending information and announcement to the local citizens and residents. They used a drone equipped with high-quality speakers capable of flying along the highways and streets to announce to the localities.  

On the other hand, another posted video shows the empty parking lot at the airport. Due to the suspension of commercial flights and strict regulation of international flights, fewer people are entering the area, resulting in an empty parking lot.   

As the COVID-19 screening continues on the Mishref fairgrounds, a photo shows its substandard situation. Citizens and residents form long and crowded queues without observing proper physical distancing of about 1-2 meters. It is sad to know that the screening system needs to improve to avoid any virus spread during the medical examination.  

The Philippine Embassy of Kuwait posted the reminders of the Ministry of Interior of Kuwait about the precautionary measures of preventing the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. It includes following the official authorities’ guidelines and cooperating with the police forces at various locations. One must avoid traveling during this period. They also encouraged the public not to spread any fake news for the authorities to prohibit it.    

To further guide the public, the state of Kuwait has answered the frequently asked questions in regards to their implemented decisions. In concerns about the official work leave, it only applies to the public sector. The Private sectors have the freedom to decide whether to grant consent to their workers or not. However, they must still adhere to the Council of Ministers’ decision about the suspension of work. By the conclusion of the Council of Ministers, the company supervisors must add the leave credit of the employees to their annual leave balance from March 12 to March 26 of 2020.

During this quarantine period, the Center of Government Communication (CGC) stated the following facilities currently operational during standard hours. It includes Kuwait flour mills and bakeries, Petrol stations, Kuwait supply company branches, supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas cylinders refilling centers.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health has announced 34 new COVID-19 cases. It brings to a total tally of 98 cases with five deaths in the country. As the number of cases rises, the Health Department appeals earnestly to the community for their cooperation in practicing preventive measures to halt the spread of SARS-CoV-2.  

The government of the Philippines started to get financial assistance in fighting against the disease. Today, the Asian Development Bank granted the government’s request for the 3 million dollars financial assistance. It adds to the 2.92 billion dollars that Cabinet’s economic development cluster approved. Furthermore, the Department of Finance secured 2.5 billion pesos from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) and another 450 million pesos from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

With the financial assistance accumulated by the government, they will be able to serve better the Filipino citizens. The government must stay true towards its expenses for fighting COVID-19.

Presently, the Philippine government declared a curfew in the entire Metro Manila beginning March 15, 2020. They will prohibit people in the streets from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am unless deemed necessary. Moreover, the Malacanang appealed to the public for their honesty and cooperation during the implementation of curfew and general community quarantine to ensure successful containment of the virus.

Today is the 3rd day of the quarantine. Kuwait has a total number of 104 COVID-19 cases, while the Philippines has 98 cases. Even if Kuwait has a higher number of cases, I can see that the Philippines is catching up with it. I will commend and thank the authorities for conducting such a meeting to organize a plan. With the proper planning of safety measures in the committee of the government, these countries will soon be able to control the spread of this pandemic.

“Huwag kayong mapago sa paggawa ng mabuti: sapagka’t darating ang panahon na mag-aani tayo, kung hindi tayo mapapagod.”

Galatians 6:9

The Primary Purpose of my COVID-19 Diaries

CORONAVIRUS: Kuwait OFW Quarantine Diaries – TABLE OF CONTENTS

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #01 – The Significance of Immediate Action

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #02 -The Cooperation of Citizens and the Government

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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