Streets in Bahrain fall silent as lockdown kicks in
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
The main streets, squares and shopping centres of Bahrain stood nearly empty as a new lockdown came into force yesterday. Shopping malls, commercial shops, gyms, sports halls, swimming pools, beaches, recreational centres, cinema halls, sporting events, salons, and schools closed across the Kingdom as restrictions came into force amid a new wave of Covid-19 infections.
All of Bahrain is under the ‘tough’ new restriction, which would remain until 10th June based on a report by the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus and as recommended by the Government Executive Committee.
The streets of Manama and other places were quiet yesterday, the first day of the decision to close non-essential shops.
Silence prevailed in the markets in Muharraq and Riffa also, where most of the stores, including shopping malls, remained shut, except for a few essential stores.
The scenes in Bahrain yesterday were a stark contrast to a day before, where people thronged local markets and commercial complexes to grab essentials before restrictions kicked in. However, yesterday the decision was widely welcomed, with many expressing their approval on social media. “Let’s be honest, Bahrain needs an actual lockdown.
A proper b****y lockdown with a curfew for 2 weeks. Should have been implemented a year ago tbh but better late than never,” reads a tweet.
Another wrote, “Thank you for your understanding as the safety of our family living in Bahrain is our utmost priority we will be back soon after this lockdown.”
Another wrote, “Thank you for your understanding as the safety of our family living in Bahrain is our utmost priority we will be back soon after this lockdown.”
Police remain alert
The Ministry of Interior said they are ensuring strict adherence to COVID-19 measures during Friday prayers. Police deployed security patrols in markets and commercial sites to ensure adherence to lockdown measures.
Meanwhile, the Community Service Police continued to organise and facilitate access to mosques to perform the Friday prayers.
Entry to mosques was for those who are vaccinated, recovered and above 18 years of age. Police patrols also continued to monitor violations related to wearing face masks and took necessary actions to maintain social distancing.
Authorities said they took necessary measures against those violated gathering restriction along the coasts and public places in the Kingdom.
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.
The ministry has also made clear that the work from home policy will cover 70% of the government employees and that the current travel procedures to Bahrain will remain in effect.
Bahrain, meanwhile, had increased its daily vaccination capacities to 31,000 doses recently, with 31 vaccination centres across the Kingdom.
Health Ministry also announced closing six stores for COVID-19 violations before the lockdown kicked in on Thursday. The ministry said it carried out visits to 154 restaurants, 34 salons and barbershops and closed six of them. Officials also recorded 30 violations during inspection visits.
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