KUWAIT CITY, May 10: In his first statement following the announcement made by the Cabinet to implement total lockdown, Minister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah said the increase in COVID-19 cases and failure to comply with the health requirements prompted the government to expedite the implementation of total curfew until the end of May.

In this regard, security sources explained that changing the curfew plan from two weeks to three was based on medical reports and in anticipation of the situation getting out of control.

Initially the curfew was scheduled to be limited to two weeks starting from the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan until Eid holidays. However, the numbers increased dramatically during the last three days, which prompted the government to hold an emergency meeting and approve the comprehensive plan that extends the curfew to three weeks.

The sources said the holiday period is a matter of great concern for the government, as Kuwaitis are expected to exchange visits and receive well-wishers, which would inevitably cause the spread of the virus.

A senior governmental source said, “We have great faith in the people of Kuwait in defeating this disease, and gradually eradicating it after Eid holidays.”