Bahrain keen to keep up efforts to mitigate COVID-19 effects

TDT | Manama

His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa affirmed yesterday the government’s determination to carry on its efforts to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at various levels.

HRH the Premier tasked ministries and government departments, each in their own capacities, to submit a follow-up report on the implementation of initiatives, directives and orders issued in this regard.

HRH the Prime Minister said this as he chaired the weekly Cabinet session, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.

The session was held via video conferencing technology. The Cabinet lauded the orders issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the measures taken by the government, following directives from HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince, to ensure the safety of the citizens and residents, support the segments that have been affected by the coronavirus and mitigate the financial, economic and social impacts resulting from it.

In this regard, the session reviewed the positive impacts of the 14 initiatives included in the BD4.3billion economic stimulus package, and other support programmes launched to address the current circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

HRH the Prime Minister congratulated the press and media personnel on Bahrain Press Day and commended their achievements and efforts to defend the interests of the nation and the gains of its people, as well as their contributions to enlightening the public and enhancing social awareness.

Meanwhile, in line with HRH the Premier’s directives, the Interior Minister presented a report on the performance of the national ambulance system in its first phase extending from May 2019 to April 2020.

The report revealed that the national ambulance system had received nearly 23,000 notifications, or about 70 cases daily. It also showed that the average response time is 90 seconds, and the arrival time to cases was 11 minutes, which is consistent with international standards.

The Cabinet also decided to postpone the instalments due for Eskan Bank for six months, starting from April. The session also decided to stop the collection of rent from tenants and beneficiaries from the shops owned by Eskan Bank for a period of three months, starting April.

The Cabinet requested the same bank to re-prioritise the disbursement of its budget for the current year by giving priority to providing the budget necessary for funding 700 housing services, as outlined in the memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance, and presented by the Deputy Premier and committee chairman.

The Cabinet endorsed a draft law on ratifying an air transport agreement between Bahrain and Italy and referred it to the legislative branch.

The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of air transport and facilitate the establishment and operation of air services between and beyond their regions.