Kuwait to Begin Easing Virus Restrictions

Kuwaiti health ministry workers scan employees and visitors of the ministries complex, as they arrive to their work, in Kuwait City on March 4, 2020. (AFP)
Kuwaiti health ministry workers scan employees and visitors of the ministries complex, as they arrive to their work, in Kuwait City on March 4, 2020. (AFP)
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Kuwait to Begin Easing Virus Restrictions

Kuwaiti health ministry workers scan employees and visitors of the ministries complex, as they arrive to their work, in Kuwait City on March 4, 2020. (AFP)
Kuwaiti health ministry workers scan employees and visitors of the ministries complex, as they arrive to their work, in Kuwait City on March 4, 2020. (AFP)

Kuwait will not extend its 24-hour curfew beyond May 30, the interior minister said at a press conference on Monday.

Minister Anas al-Saleh added that the cabinet will announce on Thursday the details of a partial curfew and a plan for public life to return to normal gradually.

Kuwait had imposed a full-time curfew from May 10 to May 30 to help to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health said Monday that 504 patients have recovered from the virus, bringing the tally to 6,621.

Other Gulf countries announced that they will be easing restrictions. Saudi Arabia plans a return to normal and will begin relaxing measures on Thursday.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai will begin allowing free movement and business activity to restart from Wednesday.



Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Inspects Ramadan Service Readiness at Two Holy Mosques 

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Inspects Ramadan Service Readiness at Two Holy Mosques 

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah during the inspection tour on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Board Chairman of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Tawfig Al-Rabiah carried out on Monday a field inspection tour to assess operational and service readiness for the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Grand Mosque, Prophet’s Mosque, and several other service sites in the holy city of Makkah.

Accompanied by the authority’s CEO Eng. Ghazi Al-Shahrani, the tour included a review of field operations, crowd management plans, and the flow of Umrah performers and worshippers.

It addressed coordination and integration mechanisms among relevant entities, as part of ongoing efforts by the ministry, the authority, and partner organizations serving pilgrims.

Al-Rabiah stressed that these efforts are carried out in line with the directives of the Kingdom's leadership and reflect the country's commitment to caring for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

The level of readiness and the services provided during Ramadan are part of ongoing development efforts and they support the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to boost the quality of services and the overall experience of pilgrims, he added.


SDRPY, EU Sign Strategic Partnership to Improve Living Conditions in Yemen 

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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SDRPY, EU Sign Strategic Partnership to Improve Living Conditions in Yemen 

Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) and European Union announced on Monday the alignment of their efforts to improve livelihoods in Yemen.

These efforts focus on investment in economic recovery programs and reforms, job creation, strengthening state institutions, and boosting community resilience, including in the areas of food security, agriculture, electricity, water, and environmental sanitation.

Their strategic partnership is in line with efforts to strengthen international cooperation to support Yemen.

Supporting improved access to water in the Marib governorate is the first outcome of the strategic partnership.

The two parties signed in Riyadh an agreement with the SILA Foundation to implement a SAR9-million project, “Enhancing Water Security in Marib Governorate,” covering nine areas across the districts of Marib Al-Wadi, Marib City, and Harib. Over 350,000 people will benefit from the project.

The agreement reflects the parties’ commitment to joint action and continuous coordination to improve living conditions for all Yemenis.

The SDRPY and EU agreed to continue coordination and explore additional opportunities for cooperation in the water sector, as well as joint development projects and initiatives in other sectors.


Saudi FM Receives Message from Iraqi Counterpart on Bilateral Ties 

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi and Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al Souhail meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi and Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al Souhail meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Receives Message from Iraqi Counterpart on Bilateral Ties 

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi and Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al Souhail meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi and Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al Souhail meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Monday a written message from Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and FM Fuad Hussein on bilateral relations between their countries and ways to support and strengthen them.

The message was received by Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi during a meeting in Riyadh with Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al Souhail.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral ties and discussed issues of mutual interest.