COVID-19: Kuwait vows to jail those who don't wear face mask

Cairo: Kuwait has warned that failing to don the protective face mask will be punished by jailing and a hefty fine as the country struggles to bridle the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Health Ministry has urged people to wear the masks in public places, saying those who will not comply face up to three months in prison and a fine of a maximum 5,000 dinars, Kuwaiti media reported Monday. The penalties will be meted out under a recently amended law to protect public health.

Kuwait has recently seen a rise in COVID-19 cases, prompting the government to impose a total nationwide curfew currently in force until May 30. People are allowed to go out daily for two hours exercising within their residential areas while wearing masks and observing social distancing. The country so far confirmed 14,850 coronavirus cases including 112 fatalities from COVID-19.