KUWAIT CITY, June 10: The Supreme Permanent Committee for the Application of Health Regulations, in coordination with the ministries of Health, Interior and Foreign Affairs, intends to require expatriates who will return to the country upon resumption of commercial flights to pay for the compulsory institutional quarantine, reports Al-Seyassah/Arab Times daily quoting a ministerial source.

According to the source, the sponsor or company will shoulder the quarantine fees in case the concerned expatriate refuses to pay.

The source hinted on the possibility of re-implementing the decision to compel those returning to the country to submit a certificate stating that they took a PCR test and they are free from novel coronavirus.

If the decision is implemented, all those returning to the country must submit the certificate and the test should be carried out only in accredited specialized hospitals, the source reiterated.

The source said there is also a plan to impose legal sanctions and fines on airlines which will be lenient in taking reservation and travel procedures, without making sure that the traveler presents a certificate stating he is free from the virus.

He affirmed this plan is now on the table of the Council of Ministers. The source expects the decisions related to testing, certificate and institutional quarantine fees to be finalized before the resumption of flights for returning expatriates. He added these decisions will most likely be implemented until life in the country returns to normal.