CORONAVIRUS DIARIES: DAY #102 – Freedom in Exchange of Stringent Compliance

June 21, 2020

”Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.”

Robert E. Lee

Obedience is the vital thing that we needed during this time of the pandemic. Our respective governments implemented regulations and policies to protect the safety and welfare of everyone. Complying with these precautionary health measures will significantly reduce coronavirus transmission within the community. Therefore, we must follow all these guidelines so we can reach out to our freedom soon.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health registered 505 new COVID-19 cases with seven additional deaths and 514 recoveries. It brings to a total record of 39,650 cases with 326 fatalities and 31,240 recovered cases. Within the new cases, 231 are Kuwait citizens composing 45.74 percent, while 274 are residents of various nationalities comprising 54.26 percent of the total count. In the governorates, there are 142 cases in Al Farwaniya, 132 in Al Ahmadi, 131 in Al Jahra, 54 in Hawally, and 46 in the Capital. Among the residential areas, Farwaniya is the highest with a total of 57. 

 Currently, 8,084 coronavirus patients are receiving medical treatment as it decreased from 8,100. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases increased.

Conducting Coronavirus Tests in Residential Areas

 The Kuwait Ministry of Health affirmed they conducted random coronavirus tests within the residential areas. Their personnel visited the houses between to 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. It is indeed an excellent idea to go from house-to-house conducting the COVID-19 test. It will help more in identifying potential individuals who contracted the disease. I know that it is a great pleasure for the community to accept these COVID-19 tests to ensure safety within their household.

Efforts of Abeer Medical Hospital

A posted video shows the dedication of the Abeer Medical Hospital as they leave no stone unturned in ensuring the individual safety of its patients. They are prepared for your visit anytime. You may follow them at their Instagram account at @abeeermedkw or contact them through 22068888 / 60353364.

I commend the strict precautions and thorough examination of the medical personnel at Abeer Medical Hospital. Their dedication to ensuring everyone’s safety is inspiring as they continue to fight in the frontlines against the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 Situation in the Country

As the Kuwait government decided the lifting of the isolation protocols in Hawally and Khaitan, its citizens and residents were delighted to accept the decision. The Health Ministry recorded the remarkable reduction of coronavirus cases in the cases. The majority of them committed to following the precautionary health guidelines, such as wearing facemasks and social distancing.

  The Kuwait government lifted the lockdown measures today. Therefore, its security officials started removing the barricades in its entry and outlets. The same thing happened in Khaitan Airport Road with the removal of its barbed wire.

I am glad to know that the residents in these regions can resume back to their work. Through this, they can restart their daily livelihoods to receive financial income for their needs. The movement of the streets in both regions were normal. There was a decrease in the number of people present on the roads. It is because everyone prepared for the resumption of their work.

Happiness and joy prevailed within the individuals living in Hawally and Khaitan. It is a great sigh of relief as their economy is slowly restarted. They are a great example to the other regions, which still have a high number of cases such as Farwaniya. Stringent compliance is crucial to reduce the coronavirus infections within the area. Therefore, we must encourage and support each other as other regions continue on their implemented lockdown measures.

Today marks the 22^nd day of the government’s implemented first phase plan. I am grateful to the decision of the Kuwait government in extending the first phase plan. I am confident that it is for the safety of all citizens and residents as they contain the pandemic within the high-risk regions. For that, I appeal to all individuals residing in the areas imposed with isolation protocols to comply with all the imposed guidelines.

Releasing of Infographics of Countries with Travel Restrictions

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) registered one new COVID-19 case of Overseas Filipinos abroad with one additional death and 11 recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 6,141 cases with 496 fatalities and 2,862 recovered cases. Currently, there are 2,783 active cases of Overseas Filipinos.

On the other hand, the DFA reported that 51,113 Overseas Filipinos had been sent home through repatriation programs since February of 2020. Within the number, 57.33 percent are sea-based, and 42.67 percent are land-based OFs. Most of these repatriates came from Norway, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and the USA. The Department expects the arrival of four chartered flights carrying 1,464 OFs from UAE, Lebanon, Macau SAR, and Saudi Arabia.

The DFA officially released an infographic showing all the travel restrictions and bans of 160 countries worldwide. They are classified through their regions such as the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. They published it basing on all the information they received from the foreign service posts as the coronavirus pandemic affected the requirements and rules for international air travel. To access the infographics, click here.

The infographic aims to respond to all the queries from the social media accounts who are asking for guidance about the availability of travel from their respective countries to the Philippines. It shows the policies travel bans that their respective government imposed, which will affect the plans of our fellow Kabayans who want to return to the Philippines. Therefore, the DFA urges everyone to be guided through infographics. However, the stated information may change without prior notice.

It is best to always consult the relevant embassies or consulates on your destination country before booking your ticket. Checking ahead of their travel dates with their airlines is a must for all Filipino travelers. Lastly, the DFA assures that they will regularly update the given information to guide the public further. 

As the government continues to permit the return of the locally stranded individuals (LSIs), they further polished their implemented safety and precautionary protocols. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque affirmed it because several lawmakers from Eastern Visayas reported the rising record of coronavirus cases in their regions. He admitted that they are still polishing the protocols for the LSIs since the existing procedures are intended for returning OFs and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

 Together with the issued medical certificates for the LSIs, each province’s respective local government units must be capable of conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Once the ordered PCR testing kits arrive, the LGUs can conduct PCR testing to the LSIs to ensure that they are COVID-19 free. 

As of now, the Philippine government assisted the return of 30,495 LSIs to their respective provinces. The Hatid Probinsya program has also facilitated the repatriation of 52,260 OFWs. I commend the unceasing assistance of the Philippine government in ensuring the return of our fellow Filipino citizens. I hope that we can repatriate all of them as we start reviving our economy from the effects of the pandemic.

 “Muling sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila, “Sumainyo ang kapayapaan. Kung paanong sinugo ako ng Ama, kayo ay isinusugo ko rin.””

Juan 20:21 ASND

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CORONAVIRUS DIARIES: DAY#101 – Ensuring One’s Livelihood and Access to Healthcare

CORONAVIRUS DIARIES: DAY #100 – Extension of the First Phase Plan

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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