Officials praise Kingdom’s efforts to repatriate its people

TDT | Manama

Top officials yesterday lauded the Kingdom’s tireless efforts to bring home Bahraini citizens stranded overseas due to the outbreak of COVID-19. A meeting was held yesterday between a number of ministers and the Representatives Council’s Bureau, chaired by Speaker Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal.

The meeting discussed the national plan to repatriate citizens still abroad. Also in attendance were Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Health Minister Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh, among others.

Speaker Zainal lauded the efforts of the government, led by HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, the endeavours of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, and those of all members of Team Bahrain.

She affirmed the solidarity and cohesion of the Bahraini people with the leadership of HM King Hamad, and stressed the ability of Bahrain to overcome all current challenges and circumstances.

She noted that the return of Bahrainis abroad is a national priority for both the legislative and executive branches. Foreign Minister Dr Al Zayani said that the executive and legislative branches are working together for the best interests of the nation and its citizens, especially amid the current extraordinary circumstances the entire world is facing after the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Foreign Minister asserted that Bahrain will continue the implementation of its plan to evacuate Bahraini citizens wishing to return home, especially those in Iran, according to scheduled direct flights to the Kingdom.

Rules and necessary precautionary measures will be followed to protect the health and safety of travellers, plane crew members and the employees of airports and work teams.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Al Saleh stressed that her ministry and its medical teams are in the frontline of efforts to ensure the safety and health of all citizens and residents, through the implementation of the world-standard precautionary and preventive measures.

She cited the increase of medical competencies and raising the capacity of the treatment and quarantine centres, noting that the ministry has benefited from the efforts of volunteers and experts in various medical fields, which, she said, reflects the awareness and patriotic sense of Bahrainis.

She also affirmed that the Health Ministry has maintained constant contacts with the World Health Organisation on its recommendations on ways to curb the spread of COVID-19