Ministry of Health announces the safe return of citizens from Muscat as part of ICRP

TDT | Manama

The Ministry of Health announced yesterday the safe return of Bahraini citizens from Muscat as part of the International COVID-19 Repatriation Programme (ICRP). The Ministry coordinated effectively with Omani authorities to organize a charter flight to repatriate Bahraini citizens who had flown to Oman from Iran, via Doha.

Returnees were subjected to vigorous containment protocols upon arrival, in line with existing measures in place for individuals arriving from countries affected by COVID-19. The Ministry expressed its appreciation to Omani Authorities for their cooperation in safeguarding the well-being of citizens and residents in both countries.

The Ministry underscored the strict preventative measures the Kingdom is enacting to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which requires all arriving passengers to test for the virus. The results of the test will determine whether they require treatment or quarantine, by recommendations outlined by the World Health Organization.

The Ministry concluded by highlighting the progress of the ICRP, noting that the Ministry is working with a range of authorities to expedite the safe return of citizens. The flight from the Omani capital follows two other arrivals, both directly from Iran.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed the importance of taking all measures to evacuate the citizens of the Kingdom wherever they are, and facilitate their quick return while providing them with the proper healthcare.

This comes under directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is keen on ensuring the safety of all Bahrainis. The ministry is thus coordinating with the Ministry of Health and diplomatic missions abroad on the safe return of citizens across the region, including Bahraini students studying abroad.

The Ministry has also given directives to the Kingdom’s embassies to communicate with citizens and help care for them, while setting up a 24- hour operation room to receive calls from citizens to answer any queries. The ministry also issued guidelines for citizens to register their data at the Bahrain’s embassies abroad.