KUWAIT CITY — The Kuwaiti Cabinet in its regular meeting on Monday restricted a number of Ramadan rituals to help bring coronavirus infections under control amid an alarming high infection rate in the country. The cabinet limited the time of Taraweeh prayer in mosques to 15 minutes, said Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohamad Al-Sabah in a statement following the Cabinet virtual meeting on Monday. The Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al-Sabah, also banned religious lectures or sermons and holding any activities in mosques after the prayers It urged worshipers who have not been vaccinated yet to perform their Taraweeh prayer at home. The Cabinet also banned holding iftar (fast-breaking) banquets at mosques or at any other public or private place. It, however, allowed the distribution of packaged fast-breaking meals to needy people. The decisions were taken after a presentation from Health Minister Dr. Sheikh Bassel Al-Sabah about the epidemic situation in the country. In his briefing, the minister expressed his concerns over the surge in the number of coronavirus infections and fatalities in Kuwait. He warned that the situation is delicate and urged all the public to register to get the vaccine to rein in the virus The Cabinet called on citizens and residents to adhere to social distancing rules and other coronavirus precautionary measures, particularly avoiding crowds, to stop the spread of coronavirus and maintain the safety of all The Cabinet also approved the health ministry's request to hire a fourth batch of Pakistani doctors, nurses, and medical workers. Earlier, the Cabinet congratulated Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawat Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Kuwaiti people, and foreign residents in Kuwait on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.
