CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #36- Ensuring the Welfare of the Country’s Expatriates

April 16, 2020, Thursday

“We must keep our heads high, stay positive, move forward, and roll with the punches. With that, trust the battle. Trust the struggle. Trust yourself. Trust it, and know you can create your own strength. You have the power to persevere.”

– Alex Cucchiara

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #36

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health announced 119 new COVID-19 cases with 19 additional recoveries, and no further coronavirus death being recorded. This brings to a total tally of 1524 cases, with 225 recovered cases and three deaths. Within the new instances,

Four were related to travel with two cases of Kuwaiti nationals traveling to the United Kingdom, and 2 cases related to travel in the U.S. One hundred and two of them had contact with confirmed cases with 4 being Kuwaiti nationals, 68 cases of Indian residents, 12 instances of Bangladeshi residents, two instances of Pakistani residents, 1 Nepali resident, six instances of Egyptian residents, 5 Filipino residents, 3 Jordanian residents, and 1 Sri Lankan resident.

Thirteen are currently under investigation with one case of a Kuwaiti national, five instances of Egyptian residents, and seven instances of Indian residents. One thousand, two hundred and ninety-six patients are currently receiving medical treatment, while 32 are in the intensive care unit. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases increased. 

• 

Accommodations for Expatriate Workers

Today marks the 36^th day of quarantine and the 26^th day of the curfew. Since then, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company released a  statement that they have already made efforts to prepare living spaces for at least 7,000 expatriate workers by building three temporary centers that were placed throughout the country. The Deputy Chairman of Projects and the official spokesperson for the Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Abdullah Al-Ajmi, said that this project comes in light of their response towards the cabinet’s directives and framework of contributions by their company to support the Government of Kuwait in helping fight the coronavirus.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, the three designated sites for the temporary shelters would be areas of Al-Ardiya, Al-Jahra, and South Al-Sabahiya areas. According to the Ministry, these places are the ones who currently possess the capabilities and equipment with the necessary facilities and personnel, which are needed to receive large numbers of laborers and provide them with decent and humane living conditions.

This Thursday, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah visited a field hospital installed by the National Guard together with the help of the Ministry of Health in the Al-Mahboula Area. In this endeavor, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh, and the National Guard Undersecretary Lieutenant General Al Rifai joined him.

During the tour, His Highness, the prime minister, examined and listened to the hospital’s medical and health services reports regarding the status of the specialized clinics and operation centers stationed in the area. He also expressed his admiration for the exceptional efforts done by the constituents of the National Guard not only in the implementation of quarantine protocols but also in supporting the emergency plans made by the government. Furthermore, he also pointed out the importance of the National Guard in society, even saying that the organization represented a fundamental pillar and a pivotal role in helping those in the Ministry of Interior with the security and safety of all the government sites during this crisis.

Likewise, Al-Mousa expressed that all employers are under a legal obligation to pay for the salaries of their laborers throughout the partial or full suspension of work during the quarantine, citing Article 61 of the Labor Law. This was after he received complaints from employers regarding the harm that the quarantine has caused to their respective businesses. Furthermore, he announced that the Authority is unable to take any action in this regard as long as there is a clear law which article to such effect. The solution lies with the Council of Ministers or through an amendment to the law through legislation so that justice is done to all – employers and employees.

In a report by the Al-Seyassah Daily, The Governor of Farwaniya Sheikh Mishal Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held a meeting in his office with the security officials assigned within the governorate. These included the Director-General of Farwaniya Security and Directorate Major General Abdullah Al-Ali.

During the meeting, officials reviewed security measures and efforts by the Farwaniya Governorate to help contain the spread of COVID-19. They emphasized the key role of security personnel in enforcing the lockdown in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and curfew regulations, as well as ensuring public compliance with quarantine protocols. Security officials were praised for maintaining peace and order, fulfilling their national duty to keep citizens safe and secure. The public was also urged to cooperate with government authorities to support the city’s stability during the pandemic.

Officials in the meeting reviewed Farwaniya Governorate’s efforts to combat COVID-19, highlighting the vital role of security personnel in enforcing the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh lockdown, curfew, and quarantine protocols. Security forces were commended for maintaining order and fulfilling their national duty. The public was urged to continue cooperating with authorities to help maintain peace and safety during the pandemic.

Violations During Quarantine

This Thursday, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Trade and Industry released a statement which informed the closure of two retail stores, which violated the precautionary health measures set by the relevant authorities in helping curb the transmission of the coronavirus. They also sent inspection teams to closely monitor 286 cooperative societies, supermarkets, retail stores, and vegetable shops in order to make sure that they did not adjust the prices of their goods without permission. The said inspection teams also monitored 80 catering branches in order to ensure the smooth selling and transport of commercial products and foodstuffs to their customers. They also apprehended 12 retail stores for violating quarantine measures and have since then been issued warnings.

Security personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department recently arrested six Kuwaitis for hosting a wedding during the partial curfew, violating government bans on social gatherings. The incident came to light after a video of the event, held in Sabah Al-Ahmad, was shared on social media. Among those arrested were the groom, his father, and his brother. The group was referred to the relevant authorities, and the groom was released on a KD 1,000 bail after signing a pledge of ethical conduct.

During this pandemic, I would like to remind everyone that there is a complete and utter need for us to abide by the laws that the Government of Kuwait has set in order to prevent the further spread of the virus. Although the quarantine has admittedly removed some of our freedoms, I encourage everyone to remain steadfast in our trust with the Government of Kuwait, for it is only by cooperating together that we may be able to bring an end to this crisis.

Updates from the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait

In the Philippines, the Department of Health announced 207 new COVID-19 cases with thirteen additional deaths and eighty-two recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 5,660 with 362 fatalities and 435 recovered incidents. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases decreased.

This Thursday, The Ministry of Interior is currently granting expatriates with a temporary residence a three-month pardon effective between March 1 and May 31. This initiative was spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh. Those included in this program are no longer obliged to pay any penalty or fine.

• 

The Philippine Embassy also appeals to OFW’s in Kuwait, whose Visa 17,18,20 and 22 expired before March 1 to join the amnesty program given by the Government of Kuwait before the deadline this April 30. Those who fail to do so will be subjected to pay for fines and be deported and be prohibited from entering Kuwait ever again.

The Philippine Embassy announced that all returning OFWs, whether land- or sea-based, must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in DOH-managed facilities, per IATF Resolution No. 23 (April 13). They are not allowed contact with their families during this period. Although flights from Kuwait have resumed, Filipinos are advised to reconsider travel due to ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon and other areas.

• 

Both the Government on Kuwait and the Philippine Embassy have worked hard together to help the stranded members of the Filipino community in Kuwait return home. Not only has the Ministry been compassionate and considerate with its repatriation protocols, but they have also seen fit to provide our Filipino brothers and sisters with sustenance and means to survive in this pandemic.

I am truly grateful for the kindness and hospitality the people of Kuwait have shown during this pandemic. Despite the challenges we all face, the spirit of friendship between the Philippines and Kuwait remains strong. As we push forward, may we be reminded that God is with us, and with faith and hope, we will overcome these trying times together.

Kundi kung paanong kami’y minarapat ng Dios upang pagkatiwalaan kami ng evangelio, ay gayon namin sinasalita; hindi gaya ng nangagbibigay lugod sa mga tao, kundi sa Dios na sumusubok ng aming mga puso. 

1 Mga Taga Tesalonica 2:4

MUST-READ AND SHARE!

My Trusted Page of References for COVID-19 Diaries

The Primary Purpose of my COVID-19 Diaries

CORONAVIRUS: Kuwait OFW Quarantine Diaries – TABLE OF CONTENTS

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #33- In Gratitude to our Expatriates

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #35- Finding A Cure to the Virus

If you like this article please share and love my page DIARYNIGRACIA PAGE
Questions, suggestions send me at diarynigracia @ gmail (dot) com

You may also follow my Instagram account featuring microliterature #microlit. For more of my artworks, visit DIARYNIGRACIA INSTAGRAM