Kuwait Times, Wednesday, Jan 05, 2022 | Jamada Al-Aakhirah 02, 1443
Banquet, wedding halls see booking cancellations
Kuwait:
Amid a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, celebrations for
birthdays, weddings and anniversaries have been called off from Jan 9 till Feb
28, as per an order by the government.
The decision triggered cancellations of numerous events and activities scheduled
for January and February, including programs related to Hala February.
“This is for our safety and we need to follow the rules,” said Melody, marketing
officer at a four-star hotel in Kuwait City.
“I have several bookings for January and February.
These are all paid bookings; some of them were cancelled, but some called to
tell us to wait and hold the money until Kuwait reallows functions and
activities.
We cannot blame the government for this decision, although it will again have a
huge impact on our sales revenues,” she said.
The Cabinet announced on Monday that all indoor social gatherings will be
suspended from Jan 9, 2022 until Feb 28, 2022 amid a rise in coronavirus cases
in the country.
The Cabinet also decided that from yesterday, all passengers arriving to Kuwait
must provide a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to arrival.
“At our hotel, we have several reservations, but no cancellations yet.
I have functions organized by some Filipino organizations and some religious
gatherings. Half the amount was paid upon reservation with the other half to be
paid one day before the event.
Some reservations were made by phone without payment, so those are on the
waitlist,” Abdulwatiq, a banquet manager, told Kuwait Times. Some who had
planned to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in January and February also
decided to cancel.
“I was planning to grandly celebrate my 50th birthday on January 13, but what to
do? Let’s follow the rules – you know the consequences if you do not.
I will try to enjoy my 50th with my closest family and friends at home instead,”
Marissa said.
Kuwait has urged its citizens to leave several European countries including
Britain, France and Germany because of a surge in cases of the Omicron
coronavirus variant.
In a series of statements overnight Sunday, the state also warned Kuwaitis,
often big spenders abroad, to avoid travelling to these countries.
The foreign ministry said they should “delay their trips” generally and, in
particular, to France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy.