MOI: Shops, restaurants to be closed by 12 midnight

Major General Abdullah Al-Rajeeb, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Public Security, Operations and Traffic Affairs, has instructed security directors in Kuwait’s six governorates to implement a decision by the Kuwait Municipality to close the branches of associations, restaurants, and pharmacies in private residential areas after midnight.

Administrative Decision No. 3212/2022 issued by the Kuwait Municipality regulates the working hours of commercial stores in private residential areas, including branches of cooperative societies, public transport stations, commercial blocks, and other stores, except central markets affiliated with cooperative societies and pharmacies.These measures aim to enhance public safety and adjust the demographics in Kuwait.

Under the decision, work can be limited to the main association in the area, as well as shops, restaurants, and pharmacies located inside. This decision also applies to food trucks located in residential areas after midnight, and restaurants located in association branches that only work to deliver orders without opening the restaurant, reports Al Jarida.

The decision allows stores with more than one front and a separate service door to deliver orders only without direct selling or delivery on-site, especially parking lots with all main doors closed.

The decision also requires obtaining the Ministry of Interior’s approval for any request for an exception to the decision.