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Kuwaiti police officers man a checkpoint at the entrance the town of Jeleeb Al Shuyoukh. Image Credit: Reuters

Cairo: Kuwaitis and foreign residents will be allowed two-hour walking daily under a total health curfew that is due to start in the country on Sunday, media reported Saturday.

On Friday, the Kuwaiti government announced imposing a complete curfew across the country beginning at 4 pm on Sunday until May 30 with the aim of stemming the spread of the new coronavirus.

People will be allowed to walk on foot for two hours inside residential areas without using cars every day from 4.30 to 6.30 pm while observing social distancing rules and wearing protective face masks, government spokesman Tareq Al Mizrem said.

The government has said that a team will be set up in each of Kuwait's six governorates to follow up the enforcement of the curfew and handle emergencies.

As part of the curfew, work in government agencies will be limited to necessary utilities. Moreover,distribution and delivery of printed publications will be halted, depending instead on online publishing tools.

Kuwaiti Health Minister Basil Al Sabah told Al Qabas newspaper that imposing the all-out curfew was prompted by the increase in coronavirus infections and non-abidance by relevant health rules.

On Friday, Kuwait reported 641 new cases, the country's highest daily incidence rate, bringing its tally to 7,208 cases including 47 deaths.