Kuwait may allow entry of passengers from banned countries
Kuwaiti Health Minister Dr. Basil Al Sabah has shown “good signs” towards a proposal to allow the entry of passengers from dozens of countries on a flight ban list, a newspaper reported today citing senior government sources.
The minister made the gesture during a meeting he held Thursday with representatives of Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, Al Anba reported.
“The minister welcomed initiatives of the two airlines to reopen the [Kuwaiti] airspace to arrivals from the banned countries on condition that health precautions are enforced,” the sources said.
Last August, Kuwait announced a ban on direct flights from several countries, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The move has stranded thousands of expatriates who were on holidays in the affected countries.
The sources, quoted by Al Anba, said that Dr. Al Sabah has initially agreed on the proposal to allow entry of passengers arriving at the Kuwait International Airport from the banned countries.
“The minister requested an integrated action plan, including all executive measures, how to conduct virus-detecting tests and plans to receive arrivals from the 34 banned countries,” the sources added.
The two airlines will embark on implementing the required measures and present reports on the action plan to be drawn up early next week, they said.
