Yellow Alert Level starts today in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

As Bahrain shifts to the Yellow alert level starting today as a precautionary measure against the new Omicron variant, health experts have renewed calls for citizens and residents to take booster jabs and immunise children against the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The move also follows a warning by World Health Organisation yesterday that cases due to Omicron coronavirus variant are doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission.

The WHO warned that with cases rising so rapidly, hospitals could be overwhelmed in some places.

The agency designated Omicron a variant of concern on Nov. 26, soon after it was first detected, and much is still not known about it, including the severity of the illness it causes.

Although Bahrain reported a single case, the new Omicron variant has not spread in the Kingdom.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Yellow decision follows Bahrain's approach of prioritising public health.

The ministry has also urged all to support the national efforts to protect the health of citizens and residents.

The National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus has already urged individuals to visit health centres and receive booster jabs, and there is also no requirement to make an appointment.

The Taskforce also points out that eligible individuals who have already received their booster shots can follow the procedures of the Green Alert Level.

Vaccines act as a shield

Dr Hala Al-Asoumi, a family medicine consultant and vice president of maternal and child services, said vaccination in general acts as a protective shield against epidemics and diseases.

“Hence, taking booster jabs and immunising children against the COVID-19 virus is important as it would provide adequate protection to them.”

Vaccination, the doctor said, has a role in containing the pandemic.

 Bahrain allows COVID-19 jabs to children from 3 to 11 years (Sinopharm) and 12 to 17 years (Sinopharm or Pfizer-BioNTech).

She confirmed having no complications or severe side effects among the vaccinated group and urged parents to take the initiative to vaccinate their children to immunise them against the virus.

The Covid-19 restrictions at the Yellow level will be in place until January 31.

People should strictly adhere to the yellow level procedures apart from observing precautionary measures.

Individuals eligible to receive booster shots must visit a health centre without delay.

Wear masks

As per yellow zone guidelines, all should wear masks at all times.

Covid-vaccinated and Covid-recovered individuals must show their green shield on the ‘BeAware’ app for entering shopping malls, shops, restaurants and cafes, indoor gyms, sports halls, swimming pools, playgrounds and recreational areas, cinemas, barbershops, salons and spas.

As of yesterday, nearly 730,000 people in the Kingdom received their booster doses, while nearly 1,195,000 received first doses and around 1,1680,000 received second doses.