Britain says Bahrain is safe to travel; Bahrain welcomes decision

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has entered the United Kingdom’s safe list of nations, which means travelling returning from Bahrain won’t have to self-isolate in the United Kingdom.

Announcing the decision, British Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the UAE, Chile, Iceland, Cambodia, Laos, and Turks and Caicos Islands are also on the safe list.

“In other words, when you arrive in these countries after four in the morning on Saturday, 14 November, you will not need to isolate yourself,” Grant Shaps explained.

The new decision allows people to return from their holidays during the second lockdown in England, but is banned from going out on until December 3.

Those violating this condition would face up to 200-pound fine.

However, five Greek islands: Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Zakynthos and Kos will remain on the safe travel list.

The measures come into effect from 04:00 GMT tomorrow. He also extended the ban on people travelling to Denmark - after an outbreak of covid-infected mink affecting the country. He added: “The travel ban on DENMARK will also be EXTENDED for a further 14 days. A reminder that under the current restrictions, travel outside of the home, except for a limited number of reasons including work or education, is not permitted.”

Meanwhile Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, has welcomed UK’s announcement of adding Bahrain to the list of safe countries from where people travelling to the UK do not need to self-isolate.

The UK’s addition of Bahrain to the list of safe “travel corridors” confirms the sound directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to protect the health and safety of everyone as well as the sincere national efforts, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister, in confronting the repercussions of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and mitigating its spread.

Dr Zayani praised the proactive precautionary measures taken by Bahrain and the progress they reached compared to other countries in confronting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

He lauded the contributions of medical workers working at the front lines and the support of other entities for their efforts to protect the health and safety of the communities.

The minister also commended the Bahraini community’s awareness and adherence to all the preventive measures, health requirements and instructions issued by the competent authorities.