Kuwait City: Kuwait has imposed a lockdown on the areas of Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, the country's Interior Minister announced.
The decision was made in addition to extending a partial curfew by two hours on Monday to be between 5 pm until 6 am, Kuwait News Agency reported.
Deputy premier and State for Cabinet Affairs Minister Anas Al-Saleh said in an online news conference that the government believed it would be useful to have gradual extension of the curfew in order to allow people leave their houses but only when necessary.
He urged the public to stay indoors even when the curfew ended adding that the lockdown would enable health workers to carry out tests of inhabitants in the two areas for their own wellbeing and for that of the public in general.
Al-Saleh thanked citizens and expatriates for displaying responsible commitment to the health authorities' instructions which aimed at preserving their safety.
Health Minister Shaikh Dr Bassel Al-Sabah, addressing the same news conference, said health authorities were in the process of containment to find out who was the sources of the virus, as well as containing the sick.
Shaikh Bassel meanwhile said repatriation of Kuwaitis was undergoing constant review and urged "all to be patient for the sake of public safety," and hopefully "you will be reunited with your loved ones."
He concluded that the ministry was undergoing its measures in coordination with the World Health Organisation.
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