Cairo International Airport - Wikipedia
CAIRO – 5 April 2020: Two exceptional EgyptAir flights will repatriate on Tuesday Egyptians stuck in Kuwait marking the launch of an air bridge bringing home thousands of citizens who will land in Cairo and be quarantined for 14 days in university dorms upon arrival from the Gulf state.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli stated Tuesday that the quarantine at the dorms is at the expense of the state, and that staying at a hotel at the passenger's own expense is an option.
Egypt's Ambassador to Kuwait Tarek al-Qouni stated in a phone-in that Egyptians whose residency permits expired in Kuwait are kept in shelters, and that one flight will evacuate women and children while the other will bring back the elderly.
Spokesperson of the Cabinet Nader Saad said in a phone-in Monday that Egyptian expats who remained in Kuwait despite the expiry of their residency have been put in a critical situation due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Saad stated that the number of those surpasses 5,000, and that they must be repatriated over 32 flights. He added that the prime minister will hold a meeting Tuesday to finalize a schedule for their return so as two flights will be operated daily.
The Cabinet spokesperson declared that the priority on May 5-6 is bringing home women, children, and humanitarian cases. He expressed appreciation for Kuwaiti authorities for exempting violators from penalty and fines.
Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram indicated in a press statement that the number of Egyptians who breached residency rules in Kuwait is around 5,300, and that they shall be brought home over batches by Eid El Fitr.
The minister assured others stuck in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey that plans of their repatriation have been set and would be presented to the prime minister on Tuesday for consultation and approval.
On March 31, EgyptAir concluded the repatriation of 1,500 Egyptians stuck in Kuwait since the aviation suspension began on March 19.
Makram told TV host Amr Adib on April 11 that stranded Egyptians are classified into categories that are citizens who have been on business trips and tourism trips, were visiting relatives, and students who had to leave the dorms and have nowhere to stay.
"At this stage, priority is given to those and not expats who want to return after their contracts were ended or their businesses were shut down," the minister stated.
CAIRO - 11 April 2020: Since the suspension of international aviation on March 19, Egypt operated exceptional flights to bring home thousands of stranded Egyptians. Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram told TV host Amr Adib on Friday that stranded Egyptians are classified into categories that are citizens who have been on business trips and tourism trips, were visiting relatives, and students who had to leave the dorms and have nowhere to stay.
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