HRH CP and PM thanks WHO supremo, calls for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday pledged Bahrain’s continuous support to the World Health Organisation, viewing “equitable access to vaccines” as critical to defeating the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Ensuring equitable access to vaccines will be a critical factor in how rapidly the world can bring this virus under control,” tweeted the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, thanking @ DrTedros and @WHO for supporting Bahrain. “We will continue to work in partnership with @WHO to protect lives in #Bahrain & across the world,” wrote @BahrainCPnews.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had tweeted his appreciation to HRH Prince Salman for his commitment to battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I deeply appreciate Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of #Bahrain, for his steady leadership & commitment to solidarity in the #COVID19 response, & especially for Bahrain’s continuous support to @WHO in the effort to ensure #VaccinEquity & to defeat the virus,” @DrTedros tweeted on Thursday.

Bahrain is currently battling a renewed increase in cases by extending the restrictions introduced earlier this month by 21 more days.

The decision follows a meeting of the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

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.

Russia Sputnik V, China’s Sinopharm vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, India’s Covishield are the four vaccines available in the Kingdom.

Those wishing to take the vaccine can register through healthalert.gov.bh or other authorised platforms.