SINGAPORE (Reuters): Kuwait has barred foreign ships, except those carrying oil, from departing to or arriving from several countries to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to a notice seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
The Gulf state reported two new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with the infections occurring among people returning from Iran. The new cases bring the total number to 11 in Kuwait, according to a statement by the health ministry.
The notice, dated February 25, has banned ships from and to South Korea, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Iraq. Kuwait has also suspended flights with Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Thailand, Italy and Iraq over the coronavirus.
Oil sector ships are excluded from the ban, the authorities said in a separate notice dated February 25 and seen by Reuters.
