A police officer organizes traffic outside the departure hall of Kuwait International Airport in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, Nov. 28, 2021. Kuwait decided on Saturday to suspend direct flights with nine African countries, including South Africa, over the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
KUWAIT CITY, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait decided on Saturday to suspend direct flights with nine African countries over the new COVID-19 variant Omicron.
Kuwait will suspend direct commercial flights with South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zambia, and Malawi, except for cargo planes, Kuwait's Center for Government Communication said.
Kuwaiti citizens coming from those countries will be in quarantine for seven days starting from Nov. 28, and they will be required to do a PCR test on arrival and another on the sixth day of arrival.
Meanwhile, non-Kuwaitis coming from those countries, whether they come directly or through other countries, will be barred from entry unless they stay in a third country for at least 14 days.
Kuwait's government called on citizens to avoid traveling to those countries at present, except in case of necessity. Enditem
A passenger is seen at the departure hall of Kuwait International Airport in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, Nov. 28, 2021. Kuwait decided on Saturday to suspend direct flights with nine African countries, including South Africa, over the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
Photo taken on Nov. 28, 2021 shows the departure hall of Kuwait International Airport in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait. Kuwait decided on Saturday to suspend direct flights with nine African countries, including South Africa, over the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
Passengers line up to check in at the departure hall of Kuwait International Airport in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, Nov. 28, 2021. Kuwait decided on Saturday to suspend direct flights with nine African countries, including South Africa, over the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
A passenger is ready to board the plane at the departure hall of Kuwait International Airport in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, Nov. 28, 2021. Kuwait decided on Saturday to suspend direct flights with nine African countries, including South Africa, over the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
