Health Alert – Government of Kuwait Announces Return to Pre-Pandemic Life, Opens Airport and Lifts Restrictions for Vaccinated Persons
Location: Kuwait
Event: On October 20, the Government of Kuwait announced a return to pre-pandemic conditions by lifting most COVID-19 restrictions for vaccinated people in public spaces and resuming airport operations at full capacity beginning October 24. After 20 months of closures, the move enters Kuwait into the last phase of the five-phase plan.
Full vaccination applies to foreign residents aged 16 and above. The Government of Kuwait defines full vaccination as two doses of the Kuwait-approved Pfizer, Oxford Astra Zeneca, or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Unvaccinated children below 16 can enter with eligible parent(s). Confirmation of vaccine status must be approved (evidenced by a GREEN color) and registered with the Ministry of Health-affiliated Immune application or on the Mobile Civil ID app. Current guidance from the Kuwaiti government indicate that proof of vaccination status can only be established via the Immune or Mobile ID apps. The Embassy is not aware of additional guidance on acceptable alternatives for proof of vaccination status.
The lifting of restrictions applies to holding of conferences, weddings, other social events as long as attendees are vaccinated. Commercial outlets may operate at full capacity. While not required outdoors, wearing masks indoors is still mandatory.
According to the Cabinet’s announcement, the Government of Kuwait will start issuing all types of visas for arriving passengers who are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine by the State of Kuwait. Arriving passengers must also register with the Shlonik application prior to boarding the aircraft. All travelers must still present proof of a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours before boarding. All unvaccinated arrivals, including children under the age of 16, will be quarantined. Kuwait’s land and sea borders are also open at full capacity. Local authorities will provide further guidance in due course on a mechanism for obtaining visas on arrival.
This information reflects the U.S. Embassy’s understanding of the rules currently in place. The Kuwaiti authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing rules for entry. Rules for entry for any country may evolve over time, depending on pandemic conditions and potential new variants in circulation. On October 25, the CDC lowered the Travel Health Notice for Kuwait from a Level 3: High to a Level 1: Low, designating that “fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.” While Kuwait returns to life before the pandemic, the Embassy reminds Americans in Kuwait that the Government of Kuwait continues to report new cases of COVID-19 daily.
To register your vaccination status with the Ministry of Health, individuals may follow the below links:
Registration website:
https://vaxcert.moh.gov.kw/SPCMS/PH/CVD_19_Vaccine_External_Registration.aspx
Detailed instructions for registration:
https://vaxcert.moh.gov.kw/tc/vaccine_instructions_en.html
Please note: The United States Government does not provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health webpage (https://www.moh.gov.kw) allows residents of Kuwait, including U.S. citizen residents, to register for the COVID-19 vaccine by clicking on “COVID-19 Vaccination Pre-Registration.”
Actions to Take:
- Stay abreast of local news and information.
- Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the most up-to-date information.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- U.S. citizens should continue to check the Embassy website and follow our social media platforms for announcements.
- If you have not done so already, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and messages from the Embassy.
For more information on COVID-19:
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Kuwait.
- Refer to our website for the latest Alerts and Messages for U.S. citizens:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- The October 25 Presidential Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will take effect on November 8.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Kuwait
American Citizen Services (ACS)
Telephone: (+965) 2259-1001
Fax: (+965) 2538-0282
Email: KuwaitACS@state.gov
