More than 1,200 Bahrainis evacuated from overseas countries

TDT | Manama

Bahrain has so far evacuated over 1,200 citizens from overseas countries following the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Foreign Affairs Ministry undersecretary Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa released last night the updated number of returnees, as she was hosted by the “Be Aware” programme on Bahrain TV channel.

She commended the strenuous efforts exerted by the National Taskforce for Combating COVID-19, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

She said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry exerted all efforts through different directorates, embassies and consulates abroad to survey the number of citizens in overseas countries and plan their evacuation, starting with Bahraini students in China particularly – in addition to Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Jordan, the GCC, and other countries.

Dr Shaikha Rana said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had also coordinated the evacuation plan with the Ministry of Health and the National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19.

The government had announced details of the contingency evacuation plan for Bahraini citizens abroad during a meeting which was held with the Council of Representatives last month.

She stressed Bahrain’s success in managing the crisis competently and taking adequate precautionary measures to fight the pandemic, which earned praise from the World Health Organisation.

She stressed the ministry’s coordination with the Jafferi Endowments Directorate to provide new accommodation for 140 Bahrainis who were left stranded after their hotel in Mashhad threw them out.