HRH the Crown Prince calls for strict legal action against violators

TDT | Manama

The government has stressed the importance of continuing to adhere to preventive measures and strict legal action against violators to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Kingdom’s continued commitment to ensuring all measures for the safety of citizens and residents was discussed during yesterday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, held remotely, and chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister.

The preventive measures were issued by the National Medical Taskforce and relevant authorities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as a civic responsibility to safeguard the well-being of the people. In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince instructed the concerned authorities to take legal action against violators of regulations.

Authorities have been advising residents to wear face masks in public places, practice social distancing, regularly wash hands, among other actions to prevent the spread of the virus. The Cabinet extended its best wishes to students and teachers ahead of the start of the 2020-2021 academic year and recognized the contributions of teachers on Teacher’s International Day, celebrated annually on the 5th of October, particularly in the midst of the unprecedented circumstances imposed by the global spread of COVID-19.

It affirmed Bahrain’s support for Saudi Arabia’s counter-terrorism efforts, noting that the security of Saudi Arabia and the security of Bahrain remain heavily integrated. The Cabinet also approved the following: - It approved the recommendations of the Drug Control Committee formed by HRH the Crown Prince and headed by HE the Minister of Finance and National Economy.

The Cabinet praised the immediate measures taken by the Committee to enhance governance and accountability, improve the dispensing and inventory management of controlled drugs, as well as ensuring the availability of medicine.

The Cabinet referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs changes to Law No. (18) of 1997, amended by Decree-Law No. (20) of 2015 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law No. (15) of 2007, and approved new additions to the tables attached to Law No. (15) of 2007 regarding Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

The Cabinet also approved a draft resolution proposed by the Committee, which aims to enhance the procedures for drug dispensing. - Based on the recommendations of the Civil Service Council, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, the Cabinet approved changes to the organizational structure of the Information and eGovernment Authority.

These changes include abolishing the position of Deputy CE for Information Security and Radiocommunication, transferring two directorates to the Ministry of Interior, and one to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. - The Cabinet approved the formation of a supreme ministerial committee headed by HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister.

The committee will be responsible for following up on developments within the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf states, studying Bahrain’s policies with regards to GCC joint cooperation, monitoring the implementation of decisions issued by GCC member state leaders and ministerial committees, and to propose recommendations to create new economic opportunities.