Minister of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram called on Egyptian nationals who want to travel back to their work in Kuwait or any other country to postpone travel until countries that have suspended all travel lift their restrictions. The minister stressed that travel should be limited to cases of extreme necessity. The statement came after the minister's follow up on the situation of Egyptians stranded abroad after Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have shut their land, sea, and air borders for at least one week over fears of a new COVID-19 strain. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Sunday that the new highly contagious strain of the virus is getting "out of control". The ministry of civil aviation dismissed rumors of flight suspensions on Monday. EgyptAir announced that the suspension of all international flights' services to and from Saudi Arabia will remain for one week — subject to extension — starting from Monday 21 December, a company statement said. The Ministry of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs has activated an operations room designated for nationals stranded abroad after the shutdown. In March, the Egyptian government brought home thousands of citizens when international air traffic came to a halt due to the pandemic.
