Citizens urged to cancel travel plans amid Coronavirus threat

Manama

Following the Cabinet’s directives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called upon all Bahraini citizens not to travel in this period unless absolutely necessary, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in a number of countries, in order to ensure their safety and health. The Foreign Ministry also stressed the need to follow instructions when having to travel.

The Cabinet chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister on Monday urged citizens to be cautious and follow preventive health guidelines procedures introduced to contain the spread of COVID-19, particularly amidst its outbreak across a large number of countries globally.

The session stressed that legal measures will  be taken against all individuals who do not comply with the quarantine and isolation measures under implementation. The maximum penalties prescribed in the Public Health Law No. (34) of 2018 outlines failure to comply with quarantine measures is punishable by imprisonment for a period of at least three months and a fine no less than BD1,000 and no more than BD10,000, or one of these two penalties.

The Cabinet recognised the importance of following the Ministry of Health’s instructions to those arriving from Italy, South Korea, Egypt and Lebanon during the past two weeks to self-isolate for 14 days, and to schedule their medical examination by visiting www.moh.gov.bh/covid19  or calling 444, whilst avoiding contact with others. 

HRH the Crown Prince reviewed the latest developments regarding the global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and wide-ranging measures Bahrain is implementing to contain the spread of the virus within its borders.

HRH the Crown Prince also reviewed plans to evacuate Bahraini citizens from the Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with the directives of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to safeguard the well-being of citizens and residents.

The Cabinet suspended all business travel for government employees across all levels and urged all citizens to minimise their travels wherever possible. The Ministry of Health’s Department of Public Health has announced it has suspended a dentist working at a private dental clinic in Seef area and referred him to the Public Prosecution.

The ministry noted that the individual in question did not follow the specific guidelines given, which included mandatory self-isolation for 14 days, after arriving into Bahrain from a COVID-19 affected country.

The ministry has taken the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of the community by closing the private dental clinic, and testing all individuals who had been in contact with the dentist. The ministry underlined that the individual had violated the Health Law no (34) of 2018.