The National Medical Team for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) today announced updates to passenger arrival procedures. From the first day of Eid al-Fitar passengers who are fully vaccinated or recovered in the Gulf Corporate Council countries are no longer required to undergo a PCR test upon arrival, in response to decisions issued by the Government Executive Committee.

Incoming passengers must show evidence of vaccination or recovery through certification or official GCC mobile application. This decision, as well as the decisions below, do not extend to passengers between the age of 6 and 17.

The Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health and Head of the Taskforce, HE Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, stated that passengers vaccinated in countries with mutual recognition of vaccination certificate will also not undergo required COVID-19 PCR testing upon arrival, if evidence of a recognized vaccine is provided.

Travellers who are vaccinated in the UK, the EU, the USA and Canada with approved vaccination certificates, will be provided with a vaccination certification card proving the acceptance of their vaccination status. However, these passengers will have to undergo required PCR testing, to self-isolate until a negative result is returned, and undergo further testing on their 5th and 10th day of their stay.

Additionally, passengers fully vaccinated in countries not mentioned above with valid a vaccination certificate with a QR code will be provided with a vaccination certification card proving the acceptance of their vaccination status, but will have to undergo required PCR testing, self-isolate until a negative result is returned, and undergo further testing on their 5th and 10th day of their stay.

However, travellers arriving from or transiting through the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, above the age of 6 must provide proof of a negative PCR test with a QR code conducted not more than 48 hours before departure, as well as undergoing further PCR testing on their 5th and 10th day of their stay.

All citizens and residents with a green shield of vaccination or recovery through the ‘BeAware Bahrain’ application will not have to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing upon arrival.