Kuwait’s cabinet on Monday ordered state bodies to slash staff attendance down to 50 percent in response to an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases in the country, driven by the Omicron variant.

Private employers have been told to limit their staff capacity in a manner that would still allow for a smooth workflow, the government’s communication center cited spokesman Tareq Al-Mezrem as saying.

In measures to halt the spread of the virus, in effect as of Wednesday, he said conferences and meetings would shift back to video link, while public transport capacity should not exceed 50 percent.

Similarly, sporting venues nationwide, in addition to gyms and salons, would only allow entry to those who have been fully vaccinated, added the spokesman.

Kuwait has seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases since the Omicron variant took hold.

Source: Kuwait News Agency