Bahrain will move the country to ‘yellow’ alert level from Sunday, as the kingdom looks to keep a hold on new cases of the Covid-19 variant omicron.
Under Bahrain’s traffic light system, the move to yellow is sanctioned when the rolling average of positive coronavirus cases in intensive care units is 51 to 100 cases for seven days.
The new measures will run through to January 31, although the National Medical Taskforce said it would remain “subject to review”.
A statement on the Bahrain News Agency said: “The taskforce noted that the measure is precautionary, given the omicron variant has not spread in Bahrain. The decision has been taken in line with the kingdom’s prudent approach of prioritising public health through proactive planning and in accordance with international best practice.”
Under the yellow alert guidelines, essential sectors will remain open for all including hypermarkets and supermarkets, grocery stores, private health clinics, gas stations, banks, currency exchange centres, import and export distributors, auto repairs shops, construction, factories, telecom operators and pharmacies. While government employees will be afforded a work-from-home policy up to 30 percent.
Dr Waleed Khalifa Al Manea, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health and member of the National Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (Covid-19), urged eligible individuals to go to a health centre to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot, without the need to make an appointment.
All vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals will be allowed to:
- Attend education and training institutes
- Hold private events at home with no more than 30 people
- Visit retail shops
- Enter standalone government centres
Dr Al Manea noted that eligible individuals who have already received their booster shot can continue to follow the green alert level’s measures.
Only vaccinated green shield holders, those recovered from Covid-19, and children under the age of 12 years accompanied by a vaccinated person will be able to visit:
- Shopping malls
- Restaurants and cafes indoor services
- Indoor gyms, sport halls and swimming pools
- Barber shops, salons and spas
- Cinemas (50 percent capacity)
- Playgrounds and entertainment centres (50 percent capacity)
- Events and conferences (50 percent capacity)
- Sporting events (50 percent capacity)
It comes as neighbouring GCC countries also impose restrictions for the upcoming holiday season.
In the UAE, all venues hosting events during Christmas and New Year will be limited to 80 percent capacity. Attendees will also need to show both a green status on the Al Hosn app and have a negative PCR test that is no older than 96-hours.
While in Oman, social ceremonies at mosques, halls and other public places have been banned “until further notice”.
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