Fines For Not Wearing Masks To Ensure Compliance

Last week, as a part of a slew of measures aimed to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the Council of Ministers had approved an amendment to the law imposing severe penalties and fines on those found violating health regulations, including not wearing masks in public.

However, many Kuwaitis reacted negatively to the heavy fines, with many expressing the view that the penalty of three months in prison and/or a fine reaching KD 5,000, were too draconian. They requested authorities to review the decision, or cancel it altogether, saying that a fine ranging between KD50 and KD100 was more appropriate and practical, and that this would ensure greater compliance with regulations.

Responding to their grievance, the Council of Ministers is said to have added a clause in the law that now limits the fine for not wearing masks in public to KD100. Sources said that the clause was introduced to prevent the courts from being overburdened by cases, and to facilitate the process of paying the penalty without delay. The government has repeatedly said that the laws introduced to fight the coronavirus were aimed at ensuring adherence to health requirements and were not meant to threaten, intimidate, or to restrict movement of people.

Kuwait, which managed to successfully control the first wave of coronavirus infections, has in recent weeks been experiencing a surge in the number of infected cases and in mortality figures. At the start of the week, a total of 116,146 infections were reported and the death toll reached 701.

The growing number of cases and surge in death of infected patients has raised concerns among decision-makers, and they are reported to be examining various measures to curtail and curb the spread of the disease. Earlier this month, the authorities warned citizens and residents to refrain from participating in gatherings. Police officers are said to be regularly monitoring the situation and dispersing any public gatherings, including weddings and parties.

Meanwhile, an official source at Kuwait International Airport has been quoted as confirming that there are no restrictions on Kuwaitis and expatriates, under domestic quarantine, wishing to travel abroad. The official is reported to have said that “there is no objection to the travel of any person during the 14-day home quarantine, as long as that person has not shown any sign of the new coronavirus”.

People arriving at Kuwait International Airport are required to present a medical certificate attesting that they have been free of coronavirus infection, and to undertake a pledge that they would spend the next 14-days in Kuwait under home or institutional quarantine.

 

SOURCE: KUWAITOFFERINGS

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