DUBAI — Kuwait has suspended all flights to and from Iran over fears of the new coronavirus.

The decision to suspend Iran operation was announced by Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority on Kuwait Airways’ official Twitter account.

“Kuwaiti Airways announces that upon instructions from the Ministry of Health and the General Administration of Civil Aviation, it has been decided to suspend the operation of all its flights to the Islamic Republic of Iran from this date until another notice due to the discovery of a number of cases infected with Corona-1,” read the statement.

Iran has reported five deaths resulting from the deadly ailment, codenamed COVID-19.

The authorities have also urged Kuwaitis against traveling to Iran “until the new picture of the new coronavirus there becomes clear”.

On Thursday, Kuwait’s ports authorities said they would stop the sea transportation of people to and from Iran over the outbreak of the new virus “until further notice”.

The World Health Organization has expressed concern over the speed at which COVID-19 has spread in Iran on Friday. — Agencies