His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today chaired a meeting of the Government Executive Committee, held remotely.

·  HRH the Crown Prince stressed that Bahrain’s enduring priority remains the health and safety of all citizens and residents within the Kingdom

·  In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince underlined that the National Task Force for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is doubling its dedicated efforts to combat COVID-19. Efforts which continue in tandem with an integrated, proactive approach across the Kingdom’s Government, under the leadership of HM the King.

·  HRH the Crown Prince highlighted the strength of the Kingdom’s telecommunications infrastructure, the development of which has allowed for seamless communication and efficiency across all Governorates to be maintained 

·  HRH the Crown Prince concluded by reminding all within the Kingdom of their shared responsibility to contribute towards national efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19

Following the consideration of a report submitted by the National Medical Task Force to Combat the Coronavirus, headed by HE Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, the following decisions were taken, effective from 19h00, Thursday 09 April, to Thursday 23 April:

·  Movie theatres are to remain closed

·  All commercial sports gymnasiums, fitness studios, swimming pools and recreational activities are to remain closed 

·  The activities of all restaurants, tourist facilities and places for serving food and beverages are to remain limited to external orders and delivery services

·  Shisha Cafes are to remain closed. Services offered by these cafes are to remain limited to takeout and delivery of food and beverages only

·  Salons are to remain closed

·  All non-essential medical services provided by private health clinics are to remain suspended.

·  The first hour of grocery store openings is to remain dedicated for the elderly and pregnant women

·  Public gatherings are to remain limited to 5 individuals or fewer. Individuals are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, only going out for necessities

·  All citizens and residents are required to wear face masks whilst in public

·  Commercial and industrial businesses providing goods or services directly to customers, are to open and resume work provided the following conditions are met:

o Employees and visitors are required to wear a face mask

o The number of employees in any facility is reduced and overcrowding in stores is actively prevented to ensure sufficient social distancing measures are maintained at all times.

o Stores must ensure continuous sterilization, including external premises, in accordance to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health

o Queuing line-ups outside stores must be arranged in accordance to the social distancing measures issued by the Ministry of Health

·  Private Sector enterprises are encouraged to follow the below guidelines:

o Remote working to be maintained, if and when possible

o The number of employees to be limited at any certain location, office and employees are instructed to adhere to social distancing measures

o Employees using corporate transportation methods, such as buses, to be reduced

The Government’s Executive Committee concluded by reiterating the importance for all to follow the guidelines issued aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19, as a united Team Bahrain.