KUWAIT CITY — Health Minister Dr. Basel Al-Sabah issued a number of decrees on Wednesday banning different types of social gatherings, including weddings, feasts and similar large gatherings in the latest slew of coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive measures.

The decrees, which KUNA has seen, prevents large non-family gatherings and receptions. Public and private diwaniyas (gathering halls) are also included in the new measures.

The police will be tasked to enforce the decrees in accordance with laws set up for the prevention of disease. All measures will be implemented as part of the nationwide efforts to prevent the further spread of coronavirus.

Kuwait on Wednesday suspended the employment of hourly-paid domestic workers as part of nationwide precautionary measures.

Maj. Gen. Talal Marafi, the Interior Ministry's assistant secretary for residency affairs, said this sector of the working force are a major risk factor. The exposure of this workforce enhances the risk of contracting the virus or helping to spread it due to the nature of their work.

Twelve new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Kuwait, bringing the total number of infections to 142. — KUNA