Manama: Kuwait will enact a three-phase plan for expats wishing to return to Kuwait, according to reports.
The plan will ensure priority in return in a phased manner and no overcrowding in the airport, said Arabic daily Al Qabas citing Ministry of Interior sources.
The first phase of expats will include medical professionals, judges, members of the public prosecution and teachers. The second phase will consist of those that have families residing in the country and those with a valid family residency permit. The final phase will permit the rest of the expats who want to return to the country.
The Minister of Interior has submitted the plan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their final approval, the report added.
Residents have been stuck abroad since March 12, after Kuwait halted all commercial flights amidst growing fear of the spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry has announced recently that it would be reviewing 70,000 expired residencies held by residents who are stuck abroad since the beginning of the pandemic.
According to a report by Al Rai, 1,000 residence permits of expats are expiring daily as sponsors fail to renew their permits while they are stuck abroad.
Though Kuwait International Airport resumed service on August 1, the government announced that travellers arriving from 31 countries are banned from entering Kuwait. Amongst the 31 banned countries are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Philippines, and who have large communities of expats in Kuwait.
Of the 3 million expats living in Kuwait, 1.45 million are Indian nationals, 350,000 are Bangladeshi and around 500,000 are Egyptians.
More than 158,000 expats have left Kuwait till date on a total of 993 flights.
