Kuwait began the second phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions across the country on Tuesday, with malls, restaurants and cafes, and public parks reopening after a closure of more than three months. Public and private sectors resumed work with a maximum of 30 percent capacity, while operations can resume in the financial, construction and retail sectors. Curfew hours have also been relaxed and now start at 8 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., ending at 5 a.m. However, certain restrictions remain – malls are allowed to operate until 6 p.m., while dine-in is not permitted at restaurants and cafes. The second phase is scheduled to last for 30 days. Kuwait started implementing a five-phased plan in June to reopen the economy completely by mid-September. The country had imposed a complete curfew from May 10-30 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. While the lockdown has now been eased in most parts across the country, some areas remain under curfew. Earlier this week, officials also confirmed that Kuwait will resume international passenger flights as of Aug. 1 as part of a three-phase plan. Kuwait had suspended regular international commercial passenger flights in March as a precautionary measure to contain the virus. Flights will be operated at 30 percent capacity during the first phase, with a maximum of 10,000 passengers and 100 flights per day. That will be raised to 60 percent capacity with a maximum of 20,000 passengers and 200 flights daily in the second stage, which will begin on Feb. 1, 2021. The final phase will start on Aug. 1, 2021 at 100 percent capacity. — Agencies
