Action sought against female Bahraini lawmaker for violating COVID-19 safety protocols

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

A woman lawmaker has been accused of attending the parliament session despite being infected with the COVID-19 virus.

The incident created an uproar with many lawmakers seeking action against the female lawmaker, who is allegedly a violator of Public Health Law 2018.

According to the law, if a COVID-infected individual violates home quarantine, he/she could face three months in prison or a fine between BD1,000 and BD10,000.

this is stipulated by Article 121 of Public Health Law.

The Ministry of Health has also issued special directives regarding procedures for prevention, isolation and treatment for various types of communicable diseases and violators of these directives could be penalised.

A criminal case could be filed against the accused before referring the case to the Public Prosecution as per the laws of the land.

The Public Prosecution has earlier handled many cases involving violations of quarantine rules since the pandemic season began.

Despite making repeated attempts, The Daily Tribune was unable to reach the accused lawmaker.

Parliamentary sources told our sister paper Al Ayam that she attended the session despite knowing about her infection.

“She allegedly showed reluctance to leave the House despite being asked by many lawmakers and officials to leave for the sake of everyone’s safety,” a source said.

The session was delayed as the House had to be disinfected after the ‘infected lawmaker’ left the place. The House of Representatives began the latest sitting after adopting several precautionary measures against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Glass barriers were initially erected between the chairs meant for the lawmakers.

However, it was removed later.

A mandatory RT-PCR test was conducted for all those entering the Parliament building including lawmakers, journalists and employees.

The procedures also stipulate wearing of face masks throughout the hours present in the House Hall as well as undergoing body temperature tests before entering the Hall.

Maintaining social distancing has also been a strictly followed procedure among lawmakers.

Visitors have also been banned from entering the Parliament premises while the number of journalists has been controlled with no more than one representing a newspaper.

Both the House of Representatives and Shura Council held remote sessions when the pandemic numbers were at their peak, nearly one-and-a-half years ago.

Many parliamentary committees have been holding online meetings since the pandemic struck Bahrain.

Parliament Speaker Fawzia Zainal has always emphasised the significance of e-parliament strategies to tackle the spread of COVID-19 infections among lawmakers.