Tough new curbs to tackle Covid surge

Shopping malls, restaurants and cafes will be closed for two weeks as Bahrain yesterday announced tough new measures to tackle the recent spike in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.

Salons, spas, barber shops, sports centres, swimming pools and entertainment centres will also remain closed, from 11.59pm today until 11.59pm on June 10.

However, all essential sectors such as hypermarkets, cold stores, bakeries, pharmacies and banks will remain open.

Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to delivery and takeaway services.

Details of the new clampdown were announced by senior officials and members of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (Covid-19), at a Press conference held remotely from the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research, Riffa.

“All commercial malls and trade outlets will remain closed,” said Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea.

“Restaurants and cafes will also remain closed with activities limited to takeaways and outdoor services.

“Gyms, sports centres, swimming pools and entertainment centres will remain closed, while no crowd will be permitted at sporting events.

“No private events are allowed at homes, while the public sector has been directed to allow 70 per cent of employees to work from home.

“Schools at all levels will offer lessons online, except for examinations.

“Cinemas, salons, barber shops, spas and massage centres will remain closed and no events and conferences are allowed during this period.”

Dr Al Manea was speaking alongside Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry Under-Secretary Eman Al Dossary, Taskforce Monitoring Committee head Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani and Taskforce senior member Dr Jameela Al Salman.

Elaborating on the taskforce’s decision, Ms Al Dossary said all malls and trade services would remain suspended until June 10.

“Banks and ATMs, private hospitals, money exchange centres, import and export businesses, construction work, factories, administration offices which do not directly engage with customers, telecommunications and pharmacies will be open.”

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/946081/Tough-new-curbs-to-tackle-Covid-surge