Kuwait’s government has taken a decision to suspend all commercial flights to and out of the country starting 11:59 pm on 13 March, 2020, until further notice amid the global outbreak of the coronavirus.

The tough restriction applies to all non Kuwaitis. The country will remain open only to Kuwaiti citizens and their first degree relatives attempting to get back home from abroad. Cargo flights will remain unaffected as well.

Therefore, Kuwait is the first country to take the step to close its Kuwait International Airport for passenger service indefinitely.

This affects two country’s airlines, the flag carrier Kuwait Airways and budget carrier Jazeera Airways.