Manama: Passengers arriving in Bahrain International Airport will have to bear the cost of two mandatory covid-19 tests- a total of BD 60- starting from July 21, according to official sources.
All inbound passengers will be required to pay BD 30 for the first test and the same amount for the exit test, after 10 days of self-isolation, official news agency BNA said quoting a ministry of health statement.
As per the new rule, cash and electronic payments will be accepted with the option to pay in advance via the ‘BeAware Bahrain’ App to ease proceedings. Cabin crews, diplomatic or other official travelers as well as those arriving from medical travel. Transit passengers will not be required to test for coronavirus or quarantine.
The Civil Aviation Authorities will coordinate with Bahrain International Airport and airlines on this matter, the Ministry added.
Passengers who test negative for coronavirus are required to self-quarantine for 10 days. They have to test again at the end of their quarantine period. This exit test will also cost an additional BHD 30, which has to be incurred by the traveller and paid for through the app or at the testing center. In this backdrop, all self-isolating cases should be registered on the ‘BeAware’ App.
The Ministry stated that it continues to review screening measures as the global response to COVID-19 continues to evolve with the reopening of borders and resumption of international flights, the statement read.
The Ministry stressed that citizens and residents in the kingdom will continue to be entitled to free COVID-19 medical treatment in accordance with international standards, as outlined by the World Health Organization.
Citizens intend to travel overseas must understand the entry procedures and requirements in place at their chosen destination, ministry said. They must sign a declaration form, agreeing to bear any medical costs incurred while abroad as well as mandatory COVID-19 testing, at their own cost, and 10-day self-isolation upon return to Bahrain. The declaration shall be signed either through the ‘BeAware Bahrain’ app or handwritten prior to departure,
Meanwhile, Thyrocare Gulf Laboratories has been licensed to conduct RT-PCR tests for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), sources said.
Bahrain on Sunday recorded 471 new coronavirus cases, pushing the infected tally to 32,941. Three more people died of Covid taking the death tally to 108. Of the total cases, 28,425 were recovered fully.
