Kuwait may allow passengers from banned countries

Kuwaiti Health Minister Dr. Basil Al Sabah has been highly receptive of a proposal to allow the entry of passengers from countries on a flight ban list, according to Al Anba reports citing senior government sources.

The minister made the gesture during a meeting he held Thursday with representatives of Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways.

The sources, quoted by Al Anba, said that Dr. Al Sabah has initially agreed on the proposal to allow entry of passengers arriving at the Kuwait International Airport from the banned countries.

“The minister welcomed initiatives of the two airlines to reopen the [Kuwaiti] airspace to arrivals from the banned countries on condition that health precautions are enforced,” the sources said.

Last August, Kuwait announced a ban on direct flights from several countries, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The move has stranded thousands of expatriates who were on holidays in the affected countries.