Huge rush at markets in Bahrain ahead of closure

Salons and barbershops witnessed a huge rush after the announcement of the lockdown-like restrictions with more stringent curbs to cut transmission of the virus.

Almost all roads near commercial areas witnessed heavy traffic, unlike a day earlier when people resorted to staying inside amid a surge in casualties.

A barbershop employee told AlAyam that all their slots are booked fully to the last hours before closure.

The employee confirmed they are not receiving any customers without a prior appointment. Samira, an Arab resident, told AlAyam from one of the restaurants that she came there for her children.

“As we will have to sit at home for two whole weeks due to the closure,” Samira said, she decided to dine out.

Another customer said he purchased some gold in advance for his wedding planned at the end of June.

He fears that a new extension would happen to the curbs. He also said the wedding is strictly a family affair.

The scene was not different at Cinemas too.

“We were anxious to return to the cinema seats, but circumstances prevented that, as the cinemas did not open for more than two weeks.

We came tonight to say a final farewell to the big screen before the closure,” said a young Bahraini, who was lined up in a queue to buy movie tickets.

Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, announced the decision to close all industrial and commercial stores that provide goods or services directly to customers.

Exempted from the decision are hypermarkets, supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries, fuel and gas filling stations, private health clinics (except for some health services), banks and currency exchanges, administrative offices of institutions and companies whose activities are not directly related to customers, import and export distributors, automobile repair shops, business operation in the process, construction and maintenance sector, factories, enterprises operation in the telecommunication sector and pharmacies.