Kuwait will halt all commercial flights to and from the country starting Friday and until further notice, with the exception of cargo flights, state news agency KUNA reported on Wednesday.

Authorities also announced a public holiday in the country from March 12-26, with work resuming on March 29, KUNA said, adding that companies providing vital services would remain open.

The country would also ‘forbid’ its residents meeting in “restaurants, cafes and commercial centres”, KUNA said.

The decision comes as coronavirus cases in Kuwait rose to 72 with three new infections on Wednesday. Neighbouring Bahrain saw a surge in cases to 189 while the UAE has 74 infections, Saudi Arabia has 21 and Oman has 18.