Manama: Bahrain has announced the suspension of entry for travellers arriving from red list countries – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal – on all flights starting Monday, Bahrain News Agency reported.
The new rule does not apply to Bahraini citizens and residency visa holders - but they will have to present an approved PCR test certificate conducted within 48 hours prior to boarding, the Civil Aviation Affairs said on Sunday. They need to undertake another PCR test on arrival and on the 10th day of stay. In addition, they have to be quarantined for 10 days at their residence or at a licensed quarantine facility approved by the National Health Regulatory Authority, it said.
This will be applicable to vaccinated or non-vaccinated passengers arriving from countries other than the red list. However, the quarantine and PCR tests are subject to an exemption for vaccinated people.
According to the new rules, if the passengers hold a Bahrain issued vaccination certificate or a certificate issued by a country whose vaccination certificate is approved by Bahrain, or a certificate issued by a country that has reciprocal recognition agreement with the Kingdom of Bahrain, they will be exempted from quarantine and PCR tests.
Also, if the travellers hold vaccination certificates issued by the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan or Singapore, will be exempted from quarantine. All passengers who are not vaccinated will have to quarantine in the kingdom for ten days.
Red list countries are modified based on an assessment made by the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and is periodically reviewed in line with international developments.
Bahrain has already suspended the entry of people with visit visas from five countries including India starting Sunday. The new rule applies to both e-visas and visas on arrival. Bahrainis and GCC nationals as well as resident visa holders are being allowed entry.
