LMRA changes working hours, methods

TDT | Manama

Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority yesterday announced major changes to its application procedures and working hours as part of the newly introduced precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in the Kingdom.  Effective tomorrow, the authority said its main office, as well as branches, will function from Sunday to Thursday, from 8:00 am to 3 pm, only.  The authority also requires to make all transactions via its Expat Management system (EMS).  The move falls in line with the 11-point recommendations of the Government Executive Committee chaired by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister to ensure social distancing. 

As of now, the committee has limited public gathering to 20 people or fewer and requires a commitment to staying at home as much as possible, and go out only for necessity.  Earlier, announcing the decision, HRH the Crown Prince said: “Citizens who actively follow precautionary measures are the Kingdom’s greatest ally against Coronavirus (COVID-19).” As of yesterday, according to the Ministry of Health, Bahrain has tested 18,188 people for Coronavirus in the Kingdom. 

There are 174 active virus cases here, with 171 of them in stable condition and 3 in critical condition. The authority has discharged 110 people from quarantine.  The ministry of health has also begun announcing contact tracing information on its portal. The data includes precautionary information regarding the locations visited by active cases of Coronavirus, including the dates of visit. Anyone who happened to be in the presence of one of their relative or acquaintances at a listed location should contact the ministry on 444.  Citizens and residents returning from Iran during February or returning from Italy, South Korea, Egypt or Lebanon during the past 14 days, must register for medical examinations online or by calling 444.