KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality has intensified its field inspection campaigns on construction sites across residential and investment areas to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations that safeguard workers and residents, officials said on Thursday. Abdulrahman Al-Rasheed, Head of the Kuwait Municipality team in Hawally Governorate, told KUNA that the law outlines several key safety conditions aimed at protecting both workers and individuals living near construction zones.

Among the most crucial safety measures, Al-Rasheed noted, is the requirement to fence off construction sites with clearly defined boundaries to prevent construction materials from endangering passers-by. Additionally, replacing wooden scaffolding with iron supports is encouraged to enhance structural safety. He explained that the primary objective of the field inspections is to raise awareness and ensure preventive compliance rather than issue penalties. “In each campaign, the number of warnings issued by municipal teams far exceeds the number of violations recorded, reflecting our focus on awareness,” Al-Rasheed said.

In the event of a detected violation, contractors are issued a 72-hour notice to address the observations recorded by inspectors. The inspection team then revisits the site to confirm that all issues have been rectified. Al-Rasheed noted a high compliance rate among contractors following these warnings. He stressed that the municipality will not hesitate to take legal action against violators to protect public safety, adding that today’s inspection tour covered Mishref and Hawally, resulting in 68 warnings, one recorded violation, and 102 field reports.

Al-Rasheed urged contractors to obtain the necessary permits prior to commencing construction work to avoid delays and potential penalties. He affirmed the municipality’s commitment to streamlining the permit process in record time to facilitate safe and legal construction practices. He also emphasized the importance of adhering to Kuwait Municipality’s laws and regulations, noting that safety departments across all governorates are fully committed to enforcing these standards to ensure public safety and prevent worksite hazards. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The interior ministry on Wednesday launched the Kuwait Visa platform allowing foreigners to apply online for four types of visas to visit Kuwait. The portal was also launched on the government’s communication center website. The portal enables foreign individuals to apply online for a tourist e-visa to visit the country for tourism and entertainment, which is valid for 90 days from the date of entry.

This type of visa is issued only to nationals who are allowed to enter Kuwait by obtaining visas on arrival, like a majority of European countries, the US, some Asian countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is also issued to foreign nationals who are residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The second type is the family visit visa, which is issued to families to join their relatives in Kuwait. It can be issued only through a relative with an official residency in Kuwait and is available to all nationals. It is valid for 30 days.

Business visas are issued to individuals who wish to visit Kuwait for business purposes, the platform states. It is issued through local companies to host business partners, organize business meetings and sign contracts. It can be issued through hotels and major corporations and is valid for 30 days. The last type is the government visit visa issued to officials of foreign countries and hosted by the government of Kuwait. It is issued through government bodies in accordance with specific diplomatic protocols and is valid for 30 days.

KUWAIT: The 2025 International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) commenced Thursday in Paris with Kuwait represented by a student delegation supported by the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC), an affiliate of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). Held under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, the prestigious scientific competition brings together secondary school students from over 80 countries.

Representing Kuwait are four students: Rakan Al-Dhafiri, Hashem Al-Qallaf, Sayed Mohammed Al-Hussaini, and Dana Al-Rayes. In a statement, the center said the participation comes as part of ongoing cooperation between SACGC, the Ministry of Education, and Kuwait University, aimed at preparing students for international competitions through rigorous training programs. The students underwent a full year of intensive preparation under the guidance of physics experts.

SACGC affirmed that its support for the Kuwaiti delegation reflects its commitment to nurturing scientific talent and enhancing Kuwait’s presence in global scientific arenas. It also aligns with KFAS’ mission to foster excellence, innovation, and national capacity building in science and education. The center extended its best wishes to the students, underscoring its continued efforts to develop young national competencies and advance their scientific capabilities. The International Physics Olympiad is a globally recognized academic competition designed to challenge secondary school students in areas such as theoretical and experimental physics, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving. – KUNA