New Covid strain: Kuwait becomes third Gulf country to suspend flights

Kuwait will close its borders and suspend all international commercial flights until Friday, January 1, according to the government communications office.

The country's civil aviation authority had added the United Kingdom to its high-risk list of countries on Sunday, banning all flights from the UK.

However, it has now taken the extra precautionary measure of closing all borders until the start of the new year, making it the third Gulf country to do so.

The decision follows measures imposed by various countries following the outbreak of a new strain of COVID-19.

It follows Saudi Arabia, which suspended late on Sunday all international commercial flights, as well as all entry through land and ports, for a renewable week.

Neighbouring country Oman also announced on Monday that it would close its land, air and sea borders on Tuesday at 1am for one week.