COVID-19 measures extended by three more weeks in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions introduced earlier this month to contain a sharp rise in cases will continue for three more weeks.

Authorities here reintroduced restrictions on seventh of this month following a sharp rise in cases over the past month.

The National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) yesterday said that Bahraini citizens and residents should practice them for another 21 days.

They also called on all to show “a strong and unified commitment to precautionary measures” to keep the community safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The decision follows a Taskforce meeting to review the latest increase in active cases and virus mitigation efforts.

Indoor gyms, sports halls and swimming pools will remain closed and social gatherings in homes to be limited to up to 30 people until 14 March.

The decision also limits outdoor group exercise to 30 people, while government institutions and entities must allow up to 70% of employees to work from home.

Bahrain has also earlier banned indoor dining at restaurants and cafes and moved schools to remote learning after detecting a new variant of COVID-19.

The Taskforce said they would review the decisions based on the latest COVID-19 developments and statistics to ensure the health and safety of all.

Bahrain has also recently authorised Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, bringing the number of vaccines available in Bahrain for inoculation to four.

healthalert.gov.bh

China’s Sinopharm vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, India’s Covishield are the other three vaccines available.

All of the vaccines are provided free of charge to citizens and residents. Those wishing to take the vaccine can register through healthalert.gov.bh or other authorised platforms.

In response to an increasing number of infections, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had all reimposed restrictions.