CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #23- Extensive Implementation of Health Guidelines

April 3, 2020, Friday

“COVID-19 is not just a medical challenge, but a spiritual challenge too. In order to defeat COVID, humanity needs to follow the path of self-purification, compassion, nonviolence, God, and Nature.”

-Amit Ray

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #23

In the past few months, the international community has been shaken by a pandemic that has disturbed the lives of millions worldwide. As such, every country has developed its own set of measures to combat this threat.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health announced 75 new COVID-19 cases with one additional recovery. This brings to a total tally of 417 cases with 82 recovered cases. Within the new cases, seven are related to travel, 36 had contact with confirmed cases, and 32 are under investigation. Three hundred thirty-five patients are currently receiving medical treatment, while 16 are in the intensive care unit. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases has increased. 

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Kuwait’s Coronavirus Combat Operations

On the 23rd day of quarantine and 13th day of curfew, Kuwait’s Municipality launched its largest sanitization campaign in the Capital Governorate, starting at Al-Mubarakiyah marketplace. Announced by Minister Waleed Al-Jassem, this effort is part of a broader plan to curb COVID-19, following similar actions in Al-Farwaniyah. It’s reassuring to see such strong efforts from the authorities, and the public is urged to cooperate by staying home and practicing social distancing.

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As such, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended the State of Kuwait as the largest contributor to the fight against the novel Coronavirus.

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The Kuwait Municipality Director-General Mohammad Al-Manfouhi released an order that stated the closure of all stores that catered to the sale, repair, and maintenance of auto spare parts starting this Friday. There are exceptions to this, however, as Al Manfouhi said that those stores who are bonded with repair and maintenance contracts with the auto services of the government could continue with their work provided they do not pursue transactions with the general populace. They can also pursue work via electronic websites and telephone services as these measures are a part of the precautions that need to be followed in the fight against the virus.

It gladdens me to see that the various branches of the government and the citizens of this nation are all working hand-in-hand for the collective good of society. Just now, the Ministry of Defense has completed Friday Hall V in the International Fairs Ground and has since then relinquished it to the Ministry of Health to be used for quarantine. The work done by the Ministry of Defense is nothing short of exceptional, as they have been working hard and round-the-clock in finishing the 259-room quarantine in Hall V within three days. These accommodations are fully furnished and have met the requirements set by the Ministry of Health regarding the guidelines for containing individuals infected with the virus.

Not only does Kuwait seek to contain the adverse effects of the virus locally, but its government has also reached out in partnership with other nations in order to collaborate and pool its resources and efforts with other nations in mitigating the threat of this pandemic. Today, Foreign Minister Sheik Dr. Ahmad Nasser-Al Mohammad Al-Sabah phoned his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as they discussed through phone calls on how to boost the cooperation between their two countries not only in various sectors but also with helping cope with the spread of COVID-19 throughout the globe.

Update on the Repatriation of OFW’s

The Kuwait Ministry of Interior announced that around 300 undocumented Filipino expatriates with expired residency permits left for Manila on Friday. The government provided them with housing and meals until their departure. They may return to Kuwait if they obtain new permits. This repatriation is part of Kuwait’s effort to help foreigners with expired residencies leave without fines. The Philippine Embassy and Ministry of Interior have shared schedules for other nationalities, and Filipinos are encouraged to take part.

The Philippine Embassy also notified that due to the large number of amnesty applications in the processing centers in Farwaniya, it has then released a new and updated schedule for the free rides home offered by its partner organizations those individuals who seek to avail the amnesty.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait likewise urges Filipino expatriates to avail of this free amnesty program, and I would encourage them to do the same. This, however, does not include those who are affected by the travel ban and individuals with unexpired Visas.

COVID-19 Updates in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the Department of Health announced 385 new COVID-19 cases with twenty-nine additional deaths and one recovery. It brings to a total tally of 3,018 with 136 fatalities and 52 recovered cases. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases increased.

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The Department of Health (DOH) announced plans to boost COVID-19 testing by collaborating with other government agencies and focusing on high-risk groups like PUIs, healthcare workers, and frontliners. They are also analyzing medical data for better assessment and building more quarantine facilities. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported 466 COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad, with 129 recoveries, 14 deaths, and 316 still in treatment. Most deaths were recorded in Europe, followed by the Americas, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific.

As the global population struggles to cope with the effects of the current pandemic, we must always remember that our best weapons are our preventative measures. I encourage everyone to stick to the guidelines of the quarantine and follow social distancing at all times. Until a COVID vaccine is invented, we need to get used to this different kind of normal since the good habits that we cultivate will serve as the best tools we can use to avoid being infected. We must always be vigilant with our surroundings and also remember to look out for each other during these troubling times.

At sinabi ni Moises sa bayan, Huwag kayong matakot, tumigil kayo, at tingnan ninyo ang pagliligtas ng Panginoon na gagawin sa inyo ngayon: sapagka’t ang mga Egipcio na inyong nakikita ngayon, ay hindi na ninyo uli makikita magpakailanman.

 Exodo 14:13

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CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #22 – Enforcing Quarantine Guidelines

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