Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa issued a directive to provide Covid-19 vaccine doses to Bahraini nationals who are unable to be immunised abroad as authorities extended lockdown measures for another two weeks on Tuesday.
The country is currently experiencing a rise in infected cases and deaths and has recorded 251,078 infections and 1,119 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
“We are accustomed to King Hamad’s great care and concern towards the interests of the Bahraini citizens whether they are inside or outside the country. This move indicates his humanitarian vision to ensure the health and safety of all,” said Sheikh Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health and head of the national Covid-19 medical team.
Health authorities are accelerating their vaccination drive.
The country began inoculating residents and citizens with the Sinopharm Covid-19 shot and has introduced other vaccines.
It has moved into third place in the global rankings for vaccination rates, behind the UAE and Israel.
About half of Bahrain’s population has been fully immunised against Covid-19, according to Reuters’ vaccination tracker.
This month, health authorities said they would expand the inoculation campaign to include adolescents aged 12 to 17.
King Hamad's directives comes as the government announced an extension of its harsh lockdown measures put in place to curb the spread of the pandemic.
"In order to achieve the goals set and based on positive results, we have decided to extend the national lockdown for a period of two weeks starting from Friday June 11 to Friday, June 25," said a statement by the national medical committee.
Jameela Salman, a member of Bahrain's Shura Council, urged the public to abide by the health regulation as positive indicators to flatten the curve have been seen during the last two weeks.
"The public must continue to follow regulations set by authorities that are still ongoing to achieve the desired results to ensure the health and safety of all," Ms Salman said during a press conference.
Shopping malls, stores, restaurants, coffee shops, swimming pools, beauty salons and barber shops will remain closed.
Authorities first announced the closures on May 27.
The recent surge in infections could concern the tourism industry, which was looking towards a post-Covid recovery.
Bahrain recorded 1,552 new cases and 24 deaths on Monday.
Infections in the country peaked at about 3,000 per day last month.
The developments comes as Kuwait approved the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson, the state-news agency Kuna said on Tuesday.
It is the fourth vaccine approved by Kuwait after those of Pfizer BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna.
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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
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- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
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