Life inches back to normal in Bahrain as Covid-19 threat eases

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Three weeks after Bahrain entered the green zone of Covid-19 Alert Level Traffic Light System, life in Bahrain has almost returned to normal except for the use of face masks at public places.

The updated four-tier traffic light system to combat the spread of the virus keeps track of infection numbers before deciding on the levels to be implemented.

A senior retail sector executive with a leading retailer, who doesn’t want to be identified, said normalcy has returned to the segment although the paradigm-changing shift to e-commerce has taken place during the pandemic period.

“The retail segment landscape has changed with the e-commerce element setting in with great might during the post-pandemic recovery period though it has outperformed many other sectors.”

Muneer KK, a cold store owner in East Riffa, said sales have gone up after Bahrain moved from Yellow Level to the Green Level.

“Sales declined during the Yellow Level period as people were not coming out after being afraid of getting infected with Covid. There were days when I thought of closing down my store.

“But now I am optimistic. Things are improving though it hasn’t reached the pre-pandemic levels.

I believe as a cold store owner I can stand on two legs as the retail market looks positive.”

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Imtiaz Fareed, Purchasing Manager at Home Electronics, said the post-pandemic recovery doesn’t specifically apply to the home appliance and electronic equipment market as there was a huge demand for these products from the majority who were stuck at their homes.

“When all other segments of the retail industry declined, we were flourishing with 2020 being a bumper year as the sales of home appliances and electronic equipment went up apart from bulk sales also contributing to the overall growth. This sales boost has continued during the Post-Covid period as well.” Baiju Cheravattayi, Operations Manager with Sun and Sand Restaurant located on Exhibition Road, said the hotel and restaurant sector is also witnessing a boost after Bahrain moved to the green zone.

“We had many unvaccinated customers, who stopped coming during the Yellow Level Alert. Now the situation has changed and all are welcomed. Our restaurant enjoys the rich patronage of a large number of customers from Saudi Arabia. With the Saudi Government easing travel restrictions including the cancellation of RT-PCR for inbound travellers, we are seeing a good business now.” “I can say that the restaurant and hotel industry is on a post-Covid recovery track,” he added.

The Daily Tribune earlier reported about new Covid cases going down, flattening the Covid curve.

There were 1,699 new cases on Monday along with 2,749 recoveries and one death.

There are 18,581 active cases including 39 hospitalised patients infected with Covid-19.

Bahrain has so far registered a total of 528,834 cases and 7,864 tests were recorded on Tuesday