Kuwait will suspend all commercial flights leaving from and arriving at Kuwait City International Airport “from Friday until further notice” to forestall the spread of coronavirus, AFP quoted state media as reporting on Wednesday.

The country will “forbid” its residents meeting in “restaurants, cafes and commercial centres”, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) said.

Cargo planes will still be permitted, KUNA reported.

The “arrival of Kuwaitis and their closest relatives” will also be allowed, the agency said, without specifying how this travel would be facilitated.