COVID-19: Lockdown, travel restrictions updated

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The government has issued new guidelines for travel abroad, and has updated the lockdown regulations for some areas of the country, as it works toward entering phase 2 of the five-phase reopening plan.

Key Points:

• Curfew is now from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• As of June 21, complete isolation has been lifted in some areas, including Hawally, Al Nuqrah, Maidan Hawalli and some blocks of Khaitan.
• The following individuals are now permitted to travel abroad, provided their travel is for at least 30 days:
  • Those seeking treatment for a critical health condition.
  • Students studying abroad who must travel to enter university or take an exam.
  • Citizens whose husband or wife lives abroad.
  • Citizens who reside abroad.
  • Those with permission from the Ministry of Interior to travel for other reasons.

• Those wishing to travel for any of the above reasons must submit a request to the Ministry of Interior at least 10 days before departure. Requests must include travel documents and the entry visa for the destination country.
• They must also sign a pledge undertaking that they will be responsible for all COVID-19 and travel-related expenses including medical treatment and quarantine.
• Airlines must ensure all passengers traveling to Kuwait have a negative PCR test not more than four days old at the time of departure. The PCR test result must be in Arabic, and passengers must submit it to the health authorities after arriving in Kuwait.

Background: Kuwait implemented a five-phase plan to reopen the country, which originally included a curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Travel to Kuwait continues to be restricted to Kuwaiti citizens, their immediate family members and domestic workers accompanying them. Government entities closed temporarily in April, and new work permit applications continue to be suspended.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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