Surveillance cameras mandatory for pvt firms

 Manama: Installing  surveillance cam-eras at private educational, commercial, industrial and charity establishments is now mandatory in Bahrain, and all establishments should do so within a period of six months.

This was mentioned in Resolution 51 of the year 2016 that was issued on May 23 by Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

The resolution, which was published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette on June 9, came into effect on Friday.

It included private educational institutions, charity societies, public, commercial and industrial establishments, residential compounds and other real estates that require special protection.

The resolution mentioned that these establishments were given six months to rectify their situations and install surveillance cameras and devices.

The Minister’s decision, which included eight articles, specified that the cameras should operate on a 24/7 basis, and to be connected to Interior Ministry’s bodies if needed.

The second article mentioned that “the technical specifications of the cameras, their quantity and locations should be set by the General Directorate of Civil Defence.”

However, the decision also stipulated that periodic maintenance and update of the surveillance devices should be borne by the establishments, which are responsible for maintaining its compliance with the technical specifications that were set previously.

“Footage and recordings of the surveillance cameras should be saved for 120 days and immediately handed over to the General Directorate of Civil Defence once it’s required. Footage shouldn’t be terminated after the 120-day period is completed. Transferring, storing, sending or publicising recordings is strictly prohibited, unless approved by the General Directorate of Civil Defence,” the fourth and fifth articles of the Minister’s resolution read.

Additionally, the instructions included in the decision warned of installing surveillance cameras and devices in bedrooms, physiotherapy rooms, restrooms, changing rooms and private places allocated for women.

Shaikh Rashid directed Public Security Chief Major General Tariq Al Hassan and the concerned officials in the Ministry to ensure the implementation of the instructions mentioned in the resolution.