Kuwait Cuts Discount Rate Over Coronavirus; 2 Patients in ICU
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RAJAB 10, 1441 AH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 28 Pages Max 26º Min 10º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 18075 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait cuts discount rate over coronavirus; 2 patients in ICU One case critical • Two leave quarantine • Saudi suspends umrah • First death in Iraq By B Izzak and Agencies KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait yes- Biden leads Sanders in White terday decided to cut the discount rate from 2.75 percent to 2.50 percent to soften the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak. No House race as Bloomberg exits new COVID-19 cases were reported in Kuwait yesterday for the second day in a row, WASHINGTON: Joe Biden reclaimed but the health ministry said the health condi- frontrunner status in the race for the tion of two infected Kuwaiti women deterio- Democratic presidential nomination rated and one of them is in critical condition. after notching up stunning Super CBK Governor Mohammad Al-Hashel said Tuesday primary victories over Bernie in a statement the Central Bank board took Sanders and receiving the backing of the decision in light of uncertainties on the Mike Bloomberg, who dropped out prospects of global economic growth and and endorsed the former vice presi- repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak, dent. “I can’t thank you enough for namely its impact on international trade. It your support,” the 77-year-old Biden Joe Biden also came against the backdrop of a fall in tweeted after Bloomberg, the billion- collective demand and gross product after the aire former New York mayor, biggest day of the election calendar so US Federal Reserve decision to cut the inter- announced yesterday that he was end- far. “They don’t call it Super Tuesday est rate on the US dollar by 0.50 percent in a ing his unconventional campaign. for nothing,” Biden told cheering sup- bid to cope with mounting hazards emanating KUWAIT: Health ministry workers scan employees and visitors of the ministries complex as they “This race is bigger than candidates porters at a rally in Los Angeles. “Make from the coronavirus epidemic. arrive to work in Kuwait City yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat and bigger than politics,” said Biden, no mistake about it, this campaign will Slashing the discount rate (at the national who is making his third White House send Donald Trump packing.” level) is part of precautionary measures in to stop expatriates in infected countries political courtesies,” Hashem told reporters. bid after failed runs in 1988 and 2008. Sanders, a 78-year-old self- anticipation of coronavirus-related fallouts, from returning to the country without med- She also cast doubt on the credibility of “It’s about defeating Donald Trump, described democratic socialist, won his Hashel said. Moreover, the move is designed ical tests in advance in their home country. medical centers authorized by Kuwaiti mis- and with your help, we’re gonna do it.” home state of Vermont, Utah and looked to preserve monetary and financial stability, She said that the decision requiring expats sions, saying the medical certificates must be Biden, whose campaign had been on to be headed for victory in California, along with maintaining “attractiveness and from 10 countries to undergo tests for the attested by the embassies. life support after the first three nomi- the biggest prize of the night, as vote- competitiveness” of the Kuwaiti dinar, as well coronavirus before returning to the country The health ministry said the measure is nating contests, won at least nine of the counting continued yesterday. as for sake of backing up economic activities should have been applied immediately and temporary and the countries were selected on 14 states at stake on Super Tuesday, the Continued on Page 24 and macroeconomic performance, he added. not from March 8. “This is a national securi- the basis of recommendations by the MP Safa Al-Hashem called on authorities ty issue and should not be subjected to Continued on Page 24 2 Local Thursday, March 5, 2020 Kuwait Fights Coronavirus Minister inspects measures against coronavirus at Kuwait int’l airport Labor union shows gratitude towards Amir’s honoring of employees KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Acting Minister of State for Services Mariam Al-Aqeel tours Kuwait International Airport yesterday. — KUNA photos By Meshaal Al-Enezi precautionary measures followed there. the charities department at the social affairs ministry supports all charities in this regard, noting that the Hoda Al-Rashed to discuss the role of charities under charities union had designed the ‘Bader’ (Take the KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Union shows gratitude the current health contingency, Kharafi hailed the Initiative) project and that a call will be made for vol- State for Economic Affairs and Acting Minister of Chairman of Kuwait Trade Union Federation government’s efforts and stressed that the meeting unteers to enlist. Nemaa Zakat and Community State for Services Mariam Al-Aqeel yesterday visit- (KTUF) and Chairman of the Municipality Employees aims at combining efforts. Development General Manager Saad Al-Otaibi called ed Kuwait International Airport to inspect the pre- Syndicate Mohammed Abdullah Al-Aradah thanked The union’s executive manager Abdullah Al-Haidar for paying more attention to the role played by fami- cautionary procedures the Directorate General of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- stressed that the charities’ role should focus on boost- lies and parents in guiding their children and boosting Civil Aviation (DGCA) is following over the COVID- Jaber Al-Sabah for his orders to honor all employees ing religious, educational, faith and health awareness their awareness about the disease, especially now 19 outbreak. Aqeel met DGCA Chief Sheikh Salman working on the frontlines of fighting the coronavirus. through opening charity premises to respond to since schools are suspended. Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah and a number of officials and Aradah added that he met the head of the government inquiries and provide spiritual support. Kuwait attended the daily meeting of the supreme commit- communication center and the government’s official Medical Association (KMA) Director Ahmed Al-Enezi Price control tee for fighting the virus, where she was briefed spokesperson Tareq Al-Mezrem to discuss combining said WHO confirmed that the number of people The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) about the precautionary measures followed 24/7 at efforts to fight the virus. Aradah said the meeting infected with COVID-19 is increasing and stressed yesterday stressed the continuation of its inspection the airport. called for fighting rumors and inaccurate information that as an NGO, KMA has a role to play in supporting tours of various pharmacies, markets and co-ops to Aqeel also visited the Public Authority for in such critical circumstances. Both sides also agreed government institutions and coordinate with the chari- make sure of the availability of foodstuff and supplies Manpower, where she met Director Ahmad Al- to name a liaison officer to coordinate their efforts. ties union, adding that in view of the coronavirus dan- and controlling their prices. A statement MoCI issued Moussa, who briefed her about the newly activated ger, KMA had opened its doors to volunteers. in this regard explained that inspection tours con- electronic services designed to help fight the spread Voluntary action Enezi hailed the role played by KRCS, noting that ducted on Tuesday resulted in closing one store and of the coronavirus. Aqeel also met with the public to Charities Union Deputy Chairman Abdul Mohsen it will certainly need more volunteers to act under the inspecting 156 pharmacies and other commercial inquire about their satisfaction with the new services. Al-Kharafi stressed the significance of organizing the supervision of MoH. Director of International Islamic stores, and filing 35 citations after receiving 97 com- She hailed the time and effort saved by using the new union’s work and suggested forming a tripartite team Charity Organization (IICO) Bader Al-Sumait sug- plaints through its hotline number 135. The statement e-services. On the third stop of her tour, Aqeel visited to supervise promoting voluntary action. Speaking in gested providing more volunteers to help contain the explained that the violations included unjustified the Public Authority for the Disabled, where she also an open session held by the union with the participa- disease, adding that KMA had provided 2,000 spe- price hikes and using improper tools and materials in checked the services provided to the public and the tion of 38 charities in the presence of the manager of cialist volunteers. Rashed stressed that the ministry handling foodstuff. COVID-19 changes people’s behavior, attitude overnight Coronavirus in Kuwait: By Ben Garcia At the Holy Family Cathedral, the main gate was closed, but there was an announcement What we know so far KUWAIT: The behavior and attitude of peo- at the gate that masses and other activities ple and the way they are communicating and will resume after March 14. The adoration relating with others saw a noticeable change chapel is open and people are advised to KUWAIT: Kuwait has so far recorded country from the following countries: overnight after the outbreak of coronavirus in worship in silence. But two people are 56 cases infected with the novel coron- - Philippines Kuwait. In buses, people are wearing masks allowed at a time to enter the room to pray. avirus (COVID-19), which all are for - India and talking about the virus. Some won’t even “They told us to avoid kissing the statues and Kuwaiti patients who returned to the - Bangladesh country from Iran. With the exception of - Egypt talk to you or answer back when you talk to have no contact with people; no handshaking two cases Kuwaiti women in their 70s - Syria them without a mask.