KUWAIT CITY, June 6: The spectre of a partial curfew has resurfaced less than a month after it was lifted, due to the Indian COVID-19 variant, which has been described as more contagious, deadly and vaccine resistant by the World Health Organization (WHO). In this regard, informed sources from the health sector reassured citizens and residents of Kuwait that the number of cases of infection with the Indian COVID-19 variant in Kuwait is still very limited and under control.

Imposing a partial curfew again is a possible option in case of an increase in the spread of this mutation during the next two weeks. They revealed that the cases of infection with the Indian COVID- 19 variant were discovered in Kuwait among people who arrived from India and Bahrain. Regarding the controversy surrounding the available shipment of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the sources clarified that the efficacy test results of the samples will reach the country on Tuesday. If the tests prove that the vaccine samples are safe and usable, the ministry will start sending text messages to the citizens and residents who received the first dose and instruct them to go to the vaccination center for the second dose.

However, if the results are below expectations, the Pfizer vaccine is the alternative. They went on to say there are 500,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine already available in the country and ready for use, adding that the number of individuals who received the vaccine is expected to increase to three and a half million in the month of July. Regarding the year-end exams of the 12th grade students that is due to start in the middle of this week, and the health preparations taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, the sources affirmed that inspectors from the Ministry of Health will tour schools during the exams, and if they notice any slackness by any exam committee in implementing the procedures and measures, they will recommend suspending the exam.

The sources indicated that the Ministry of Health did not provide the Ministry of Education with a letter of approval to conduct the paper-based exams, but had instead only provided it a list of mandatory requirements like with health clubs, cinemas, and commercial complexes. By Khaled Al-Hajri Al-Seyassah, Arab Times Staff and Agencies