The First batch of stranded Bahrain citizens arrived from Iran

Manama

The Ministry of Health yesterday announced the first group of Bahrainis repatriated from the Islamic Republic of Iran have arrived back to the Kingdom.

The Kingdom has established an evacuation plan to repatriate citizens in a chartered aircraft in order to safeguard the well-being of the incoming arrivals, as well as citizens and residents in the Kingdom.

Upon arrival, passengers were tested and will either be quarantined or transferred to a dedicated isolation centre for treatment, in accordance with the results, and the standards set by the World Health Organisation.

The ministry is co-ordinating with other authorities on repatriating the remaining Bahrainis in Iran, while ensuring proper isolation and community protection measures are being taken.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Walid bin Khalifa Al Manea earlier confirmed that work is underway with all relevant authorities to implement the evacuation plan for Bahraini citizens in Iran.

All measures are being taken to ensure that they arrive in the Kingdom safely and in accordance with Bahrain’s precautionary measures in light of the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iranian cities, and the escalation of its spread around the world, the official said.

Dr Al Manea added, “Work is continuing to transfer the citizens in Iran in stages, the first group of citizens will be transferred next Tuesday, and efforts are continuing to complete the various precautionary and preventive measures to preserve their safety and the safety of citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

Dr Al Manea noted that since the announcement of the evacuation plan, relevant authorities have been in ongoing contact with citizens present in Iran that registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and their families.

Dr Al Manea stressed that all those involved in the evacuation process are working hard to complete it successfully and safely. “All returnees from Iran within the evacuation plan will undergo the necessary medical examinations under the supervision of a specialised medical team according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation upon their arrival in Bahrain, and they will be transferred to quarantine or isolation and treatment centres if necessary,” he added.

Based on His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s directives, the Jaffari Endowments Directorate will cover all the expenses of the Bahraini citizens, who are still abroad because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) until their return home, in coordination with all the competent official authorities, Jaffari Endowments Directorate Chairman, Yussif Al Saleh, said, noting that the expenses will be added to the Directorate’s budget, in line with the royal instructions. “The sound royal directives reflect HM the King’s care for all citizens in Bahrain and abroad,” Mr Al Saleh said.

Mr Al Saleh commended the efforts exerted by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, as well as his follow-up on all precautionary and preventive measures adopted to combat COVID-19 and prevent its spread.

He pointed out that the Jaffari Endowments Directorate will co-ordinate with the relevant authorities and bear the expenses of the citizens during their stay abroad until their return, adding that the expenses will be added to the directorate’s budget.