Bahrain says all sports competitions to be behind closed doors

All sports and youth competitions and activities will be held behind closed doors until further notice, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced.

The ministry also stopped all sports inside gyms, covered playgrounds and swimming pools until further notice.

Games and sports activities in open spaces will continue without fans and spectators provided that all preventive and precautionary measures are taken and the guidelines announced by the Ministry of Health and the National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus (COVID-19) are implemented, the ministry said in its statement on Sunday morning.

The parties involved should ensure that the necessary disinfection, cleanup and medical tests are carried out in accordance with the laws and regulations, the ministry said.

The decisions are taken for the sake of the sports people's safety and public interest and should be fully respected by the youth centres and the sports clubs, the statement said.