109 New Coronavirus Cases; Human Traffickers Slammed
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SHAABAN 14, 1441 AH TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020 20 Pages Max 39º Min 21º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 18100 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net 109 new coronavirus cases; human traffickers slammed MoI launches new online services • Fish, livestock markets closed to public • Coronavirus lands British PM in hospital (Page 16) Kuwait backs • Bronx zoo tiger tests positive for virus (Page 15) call for talks on By B Izzak government to severely punish them. The speaker’s call comes amid a steep KUWAIT: The health ministry yester- rise in the number of coronavirus cases cutting oil output day announced 109 new coronavirus among expat workers and calls by law- DUBAI: Kuwait sup- cases, the largest number of cases in a makers on the government to impose ports Saudi Arabia’s call single day, raising the total to 665. The lockdowns on certain residential areas. to renew talks on cutting new cases include 79 Indians, six “The crisis has unveiled how ugly oil supply due later this Egyptians, six Iranians and six and brutal visa traders are,” Ghanem week and hopes for a Bangladeshis. They also include eight said in a statement. “This is an successful outcome to Kuwaitis, three Pakistanis and one opportunity for amending the demo- stabilize the oil market, Filipino. No new deaths were reported. graphic structure and there will be Kuwait’s oil minister said Four cases recovered yesterday, bring- no other chances in the future,” he on Sunday. OPEC and ing the total number of recoveries to said. “But, we in Kuwait fear God and allies led by Russia, a 103. There are 561 cases receiving we do not want to be unfair to the group known as OPEC+, Khaled Al-Fadhel treatment, of whom 20 are in the inten- people,” said the speaker, adding are due to hold a meet- sive care unit, seven in critical condi- that crowding of workers in certain ing on Thursday to dis- tion. Ministry spokesman Abdullah Al- areas and leaving them wandering on cuss a new pact on curbing output and ending a Sanad said the number of cases result- the streets is the outcome of visa price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia ing from contact with infected cases trading in the country. which has prompted US President Donald Trump has grown rapidly in the past few days, “The government should hold these to intervene. and that many of them contracted the traffickers in humans responsible for Saudi Arabia has called for an emergency meet- disease from unknown sources. the unfair treatment of expat workers. ing between OPEC and its allies as well as other oil National Assembly Speaker The government should make them producers. “We totally support Saudi Arabia... and Marzouq Al-Ghanem yesterday blast- pay for setting up camps or any other its current efforts in bringing back OPEC and non- ed visa traders who exploit expat alternatives and later should send OPEC countries to the table,” Khaled Al-Fadhel workers, describing them as “traffick- them to court,” Ghanem stressed. Continued on Page 16 ers in human beings” and called on the Continued on Page 16 2 Local Tuesday, April 7, 2020 Minister defends Kuwait’s charities, lauds their contributions in time of crisis Economic package to include laws on rent, private sector labor act: Aqeel By A Saleh appears. The nature of of- Pandemic Diaries fice work will change. No IN MY VIEW KUWAIT: At a time when a number of charities have certain experiment has so urged the Ministry of Social Affairs to defend them far proved successful. We against those questioning their performance and hold are still in the trial and Have mercy Panic. Don’t panic. them legally accountable on grounds that such criti- error phase,” she under- cism discourages both charities and donors, Minister lined, pointing out that so of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic far, there is no treatment, Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel stressed that on presiding and that once there is one, the extraordinary Cabinet meeting, HH the Amir it will take long to get to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah thanked the market. Mariam Al-Aqeel By Abdellatif Sharaa By Jamie Etheridge all charities and highly commended the role they play Responding to a ques- inside and outside Kuwait in this crisis. “HH the Amir’s tion about the economic effects of the crisis and free gratitude is the best message to everyone,” she un- market prices, Aqeel stressed a free market has pros derlined. and cons, including rising inflation. “These concerns [email protected] Speaking during a meeting with the chairmen of will be addressed in an economic package to be [email protected] charities and organizations participating in the ‘Faz’at launched soon including laws on lease (rent) and pri- Al-Kuwait’ campaign, Aqeel stressed that the cam- vate sector labor act, especially with the emergence paign is exceptional and adds to the success Kuwait of intentions to lay off some manpower,” Aqeel ex- ince the coronavirus crisis began, I noticed that all my neighbors keep to their apartments, while has so far achieved in dealing with the coronavirus plained, without providing further explanation. those who working at various health facilities ate last night we got the news that the in- crisis. Aqeel also commended charities for supporting S around Kuwait only leave home to board their trans- terior minister will likely begin locking government efforts by providing foodstuff and Imam sued down certain areas in Kuwait, starting with port vehicles taking them to their workplaces. But last L preparing and equipping quarantine and accommo- Ministry of Social Affairs recently filed a complaint night I heard a knock at the door. I found two of my Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Farwaniya and Mahboula. dation centers. “We still have a long way to go and with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs against The news sent a shock of fear through me. Just neighbors standing with a petition in their hands ask- the crisis will apparently last an Imam who posted a social ing the landlord to consider easing arrangements for the idea of quarantining an entire area, with hun- longer than expected. We do not media video urging Kuwaitis not rent payment under the current circumstances, and dreds of thousands of residents, is terrifying. know when it will end and we will to donate to charities and accus- of course I signed it without hesitation. I really felt Imagine how difficult this will be and how scary be lucky if it ends by the end of We still ing 90 percent of them of being very comfortable at the spirit of cooperation the res- for all the residents living in those areas? the year,” she underlined. ‘thieves’. In this regard, under- idents had, because the benefit will be for all and not I’m a mom of two children and cannot fathom Aqeel stressed that periodic have a long secretary of the ministry of so- just the two standing at the door. how terrifying this must be for every mother liv- meetings are held to review re- cial affairs, Abdul Aziz Sho’aib The instructions given by the health authorities ing there. How will she get regular access to food marks with the aim of preserving way to go contacted the awqaf ministry must be followed by all to the letter, most important for her babies? How will the Interior ministry the efforts and funds raised and complaining about the Imam of of which is staying at home. The authorities have is- continue to protect and ensure law and order? distributed over a long period Ibn Abi Al-Donia mosque in sued several decisions including the consideration of What happens to people in these areas if they and protect them from being wasted. She added that Jaber Al-Ahmed area who had posted a video accus- the current break as official paid holiday, and this is get sick? What about those who live in shared charities should focus and direct their activities inside ing charities of being thieves. “This is an abuse of something appreciated by expatriates who rely on accommodations with many others? How long Kuwait during this crisis in order to conserve their re- charities and the government bodies supervising their monthly salaries as the only source of income. would the lockdown last? sources. them. It is an insult to the staffs of the ministry’s char- But there are hundreds who work and are paid on a I’m sure the government has a plan and an- In addition, Aqeel stressed that government re- ity department and undermines charity efforts that daily basis, who cannot earn a living unless they have a job to perform. These people live jointly to reduce swer to all these questions. So far, Kuwait’s gov- ports suggest that the COVID-19 crisis will be over had made Kuwait an international icon of charity,” ernment and especially the ministry of health and the burden of rent and other expenses. in April or May, adding that measures imposed by the Sho’aib complained. Further, Sho’aib stressed that all Companies with contracts with the oil sector em- the ministry of interior (as well as the ministry of government aim at preventing crowding and direct charities operating in Kuwait are supervised by the commerce and ministry of education) have han- ploy hundreds of workers at all levels, and every contact and that the current shutdown will not last till ministry of social affairs and have accredited annual morning I see about 10 buses with a capacity of 50 dled the pandemic crisis with unprecedented the end of the crisis.