A medical worker is seen at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
KUWAIT CITY, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Kuwait, the life of the country's residents has been flipped upside down as the Ministry of Health has taken a series of precautions against the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Kuwait has suspended all commercial flights starting Wednesday and all those who had arrived from the affected countries were required to go through medical tests.
According to the ministry's rules, any violator will be punished by an maximum of one-month imprisonment and a fine of up to 50 Kuwaiti dinars (163 U.S. dollars), or at least one of the two penalties.
Waiting in a long queue at Salmiya Clinic in Hawalli Governorate, Rana Naser, an Egyptian woman who came back from her holiday last week, told Xinhua that having a test for the virus would make her feel better about being around her family.
"I have a one-year-old child. I would feel much safer if I had the coronavirus test," she said, adding the airline gave her the health card for a check at one of the nearest clinics.
Naser later tested negative for COVID-19 and went back home happily.
For Freya Anna, an Indian mother of two children, the epidemic has caused some trouble to her.
"I have to remain at home for 14 days in a self-quarantine, but my manager does not accept my absence that long," she complained.
The authorities "should coordinate with the private sectors to allow us to stay healthy and get our rights," Anna added.
Emy Mamdoh who came from Egypt said the ministry checked her upon arrival with thermal cameras at the airport.
"Inside the clinic, they told me that if I had the symptoms, I should be back for a check," she said.
"The nurse told me that there will be inspectors who make random visits to my house to check if I'm home for 14 days or not," Mamdoh noted.
According to a new decision of the Kuwaiti government on Wednesday, work in all government departments are suspended until March 26, and people are banned from going to restaurants and cafes.
Kuwait has so far reported 80 coronavirus cases, with an increase of eight over the past 24 hours.
People sit with a certain distance away from each other while waiting to receive medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
Medical staff work at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
People queue up to receive medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
People sit with a certain distance away from each other while waiting to receive medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
A woman helps her child wear mask as they queue up to receive medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
People queue up to receive medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
People queue up to receive medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
Police officers are on duty at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
People sit with a certain distance away from each other while waiting to receive medical tests at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
A man in a wheelchair waits for medical test at a makeshift medical test center in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, March 12, 2020. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
