The Kuwait Municipality is planning to implement a ban on handshakes within mourning halls at cemeteries as a precautionary health measure, according to a report by a Kuwaiti newspaper.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has advised the municipality to encourage mourners attending cemeteries to abstain from handshakes and instead use eye greetings to offer condolences, as reported by Al Jarida, citing a municipal official.
Kuwait Municipality’s Director-General, Saud Al Dabus, stated, “The municipality will issue a circular in this regard, prohibiting handshakes inside mourning halls based on the Ministry of Health’s recommendation.”
The Ministry of Health emphasized in its circular to the municipality that the recommendation is aimed at safeguarding public health and reducing the risk of spreading contagious diseases through handshakes.
Dr. Abdullah Al Sanad, a spokesperson for the ministry, emphasized that replacing handshakes with eye greetings is part of ongoing efforts to promote safe health practices in daily life. He also reassured the public that the current health situation in the country is stable.
Dr. Ahmed Al Outeibi, a public health specialist, explained that there have been no new reports of viral infections in Kuwait. He described the circular issued by the Ministry of Health to the municipality as a proactive step to enforce preventive measures.
Notably, last month, Kuwaiti health authorities identified a new variant of COVID-19 in the country but did not implement any emergency measures. Dr. Al Sanad stated, “The JN.1 variant has been monitored in the country, but the health situation is stable. No extraordinary preventive measures will be taken at this time.”