MPs are appealing to the Kuwaiti authorities to consider allowing people from Bahrain who have taken the Pfizer booster to enter the country.
Kuwait only acknowledges visitors who have received a double dose of Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, or one shot of Johnson and Johnson vaccines.
It refuses to acknowledge Sinopharm and Sputnik vaccines despite World Health Organisation (WHO) backing.
However, many Bahrainis and expatriates have received two shots of the Sinopharm vaccine, alongside a booster Pfizer injection for extra protection against more aggressive virus variants.
This has been preventing many people from visiting family and friends, or going on weekend shopping and recreation trips, besides attending business or financial meetings.
The issue was highlighted during the weekly online majlis of Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Mohammed Buhamood, attended by Kuwaiti social media influencers, journalists and community leaders.
Refuses
“The issue with Saudi Arabia was resolved a few days back when it started allowing those who have received booster jabs the chance to enter the country and visit the Holy Mosque in Mecca for Umrah too,” said Mr Buhamood.
“Saudi accepts one shot of any recognised vaccine so those who took Pfizer, as a booster, are now free to travel without facing any difficulty.
“Bahrainis love Kuwait and travel by car across the King Fahad Causeway in thousands to Kuwait City to visit family, or for weekend shopping trips, besides attending business meetings or making financial deals.”
MP Khalid Bu Onk said Bahraini MPs were negotiating with local health officials and Kuwaiti MPs in an attempt to ease restrictions.
“Sinopharm is not sugar syrup and people who have come forward when it was the only vaccine available shouldn’t pay the price, or get treated as unvaccinated individuals,” he said.
“Rulings by WHO should be respected by all member countries, especially when the GCC should have unified rules regarding Covid-19.”
mohammed @gdn.com.bh
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