Up to BD10,000 fine, three months in jail for breaking COVID-19 protocols

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Hefty fines and jail terms are awaiting those failing to commit to the COVID-19 precautionary measures set by the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Imprisonment of no less than three months and fines of not less than 1,000 dinars and not exceeding 10,000 dinars, or one of these two penalties, are on the cards for COVID-19 protocol violations.

Penalties are as per Articles 121 and 124 of the Public Health Law promulgated by Law No. (34) of 2018. Article 121 comes into play if authorities catch anyone intentionally concealing a person with a communicable disease or expose others to infections, or causes the transmission of infection, said Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh, the Minister of Health.

Article 121 also targets those refraining from implementing any measures mandated to prevent the spread of disease. Meanwhile, Article 124 states that anyone who hinders the procedures stipulated in Article 42 of the Law shall face imprisonment and a fine not exceeding one thousand dinars, or one of these two penalties.

Procedures to follow for home isolation

Procedures for home isolation states that an infected person should not mix with others and use a separate room and bathroom. It is mandatory to wear masks, gloves and leave the maximum possible distance between other people and pets if there is a need to reach others.

An isolated person should not share household items with others, including dishes, cups, other utensils, towels, and bedspreads. It is also mandatory to regularly sterilise door handles and surfaces.

The ministry also recommends extreme caution while coughing and sneezing. “Isolated people should cover their mouth while coughing and sneezing with tissue papers and make sure to dispose of the tissues in a closed trash bin,” the statement adds.

“Wash hands immediately after disposing of tissues with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or sterilise with an antiseptic solution that contains at least 70% alcohol.”

Health Ministry also requires keeping a separate trash bin at the disposal of the isolated person and double bags to prevent leakage of trash.

“Waste thus produced should be kept in the house for 72 hours before disposing of it with other household wastes,” the ministry said. The procedures also require calling hotline number 444 to seek medical help if any symptoms associated with the disease appear.

The isolated person should download the BeAware Bahrain application on his mobile phone and activate location and internet. iPhone users should set their option to “Always allow access to the site on the BeAware application.” “This is to ensure that the isolated person is at the site of home health isolation,” the minister said.

The procedures for home quarantine starts with the isolated person activating the start “home quarantine/home isolation” button upon arrival at the place of isolation on the BeAware Bahrain app. The isolated person should call 444 in the event of reaching the wrong isolation site.