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 outlined that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is tenaciously fighting the spread of COVID-19. HRH expressed his appreciation for the efforts exerted by Team Bahrain in protecting the health and safety of Bahrain’s citizens and residents.
 
HRH the Crown Prince noted that Bahrain’s strong sense of national solidarity and collective awareness has been instrumental in overcoming COVID-19 challenges so far, and expressed his confidence that health measures will continue to be observed during the Eid al-Adha break.
 
HRH the Crown Prince also expressed his appreciation to first responders, volunteers and their support network for their selfless actions that are a central element that ensures the safety and well-being of the community.
 
Following the consideration of a report submitted by the National Medical Task Force to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19), headed by HE Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, the following decisions were taken regarding the Kingdom’s phased reopening. The phased reopening will be dependent on several indicators including total number of positive results against the total number of daily COVID-19 tests, the number of cases requiring intensive care of the total number of active cases, and the occupancy rate in isolation and treatment facilities. Based on these factors, the phased reopening will be assessed on an ongoing basis.
 
• The first phase of reopening is scheduled to begin on August 6th, 2020, with the reopening of gyms, sports halls, outdoor sports fields, and swimming pools.
 
• The second phase is scheduled to commence on September 3rd, 2020, with the reopening of outdoor dining at restaurants and coffee-shops and the re-opening of training institutions.
 
• The third phase of reopening is scheduled to take place on September 24th, 2020, with the reopening of all dining services extended by restaurants and coffee-shops.
 
It was also decided to allow the gradual reopening of tourism restaurants, including those located in 4 and 5 star hotels and those authorised by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, in accordance with medical and preventive requirements, by allowing reservations for special occasions that do not exceed 20 people per group and provided that reservations do not exceed one reservation each time. This is effective immediately ahead of preparations for restaurants and coffee-shops to resume all dining services.
 
The Executive Committee highlighted that the level of adherence to all precautionary and preventive measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 will be assessed, and according to data and results, decisions will be reviewed periodically to preserve the health and safety of all. The Executive Committee concluded by wishing all a blessed and safe Eid-al-Adha.