Bahrain Lockdown Status: What You Need To Know

Bahrain has been in lockdown multiple times in recent years, with restrictions imposed due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and political protests. In 2020, Bahrain entered a lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, with non-essential medical services and commercial and industrial businesses resuming operations while adhering to health and social distancing guidelines. In 2024, Bahrain extended its lockdown measures for two weeks following a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. During this period, shopping malls, stores, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses remained closed, and public gatherings of more than five people were prohibited.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahrain experienced lockdowns in 2013 and 2024 related to political protests and civil unrest. In 2013, the Bahraini authorities attempted to suppress peaceful demonstrations by blocking roads, setting up checkpoints, and surrounding villages with barbed wire. In 2024, King Hamad issued a decree suspending the right to free assembly in the capital, Manama, and preventing a prominent human rights activist from entering the country.

Bahrain's lockdown extension in 2024

Bahrain extended its lockdown measures in March 2024, following a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. The extension was announced by the country's national medical committee, which stated that the lockdown would be in place for an additional two weeks, from Friday, June 11, to Friday, June 25. This came as the country recorded a total of 251,078 infections and 1,119 deaths since the start of the pandemic, with a recent peak of 3,000 cases per day.

During this extended lockdown period, various establishments were ordered to remain closed, including shopping malls, stores, restaurants, coffee shops, swimming pools, beauty salons, and barber shops. The authorities had initially announced these closures on May 27, and the lockdown extension aimed to curb the spread of the virus and protect public health.

The Bahraini government prioritized the health and safety of its citizens, as demonstrated by King Hamad bin Isa's directive to ensure that all Bahraini nationals, both within and outside the country, had access to COVID-19 vaccine doses. This move was praised by Sheikh Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health and head of the national COVID-19 medical team, as an indication of the King's humanitarian vision.

The lockdown extension had potential implications for the country's tourism industry, which was hoping for a post-COVID recovery. Hotel reservations in Bahrain experienced a 30% decline after Saudi Arabia implemented new travel guidelines.

Despite the challenges, Bahrain's vaccination drive made significant progress. The country introduced multiple vaccines, including the Sinopharm shot, and achieved the third-highest global ranking for vaccination rates, behind only the UAE and Israel. By March 2024, about half of Bahrain's population had been fully immunized against COVID-19.

In October 2024, Bahrain eased some of its coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Shopping malls and select stores were allowed to reopen on April 9, with strict protocols in place. These included mandatory mask-wearing for shop workers and customers, fines for non-compliance, and measures to control customer numbers and prevent overcrowding. Despite this easing, other businesses, such as gyms, public swimming pools, shisha cafes, beauty parlors, and entertainment parks, were ordered to remain closed until April 23.

Covid-19 vaccinations for Bahraini citizens

As of October 2023, Bahrain was in its second week of lockdown after a surge in infections in May. The country's leader, King Hamad bin Isa, issued a directive to provide Covid-19 vaccine doses to Bahraini citizens overseas who are unable to be immunised abroad. This was in addition to the existing provision of Covid-19 vaccines for all citizens and residents within Bahrain, which had been in place since December 2020.

The Covid-19 vaccine is provided for free in Bahrain and is distributed through 27 medical centres, with the aim of providing 10,000 doses daily. The vaccine rollout began with the Sinopharm shot, and other vaccines have since been introduced. As of October 2023, about half of Bahrain's population had been fully immunised against Covid-19, and the country was ranked third in the world for vaccination rates.

In June 2023, health authorities announced they would expand the inoculation campaign to include adolescents aged 12 to 17. The Bahraini government also extended its lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus, with shopping malls, stores, restaurants, coffee shops, swimming pools, beauty salons and barber shops remaining closed.

Covid-19 restrictions easing in 2023

As of March 2023, Bahrain has started to ease some of the lockdown restrictions imposed to counter the spread of COVID-19. The National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus has announced that all non-essential medical services can resume operations, provided that health and social distancing guidelines are followed. Commercial and industrial businesses can also resume operations, but they must ensure that all employees and customers wear face masks, limit overcrowding, and regularly disinfect stores and facilities.

Outdoor spaces and swimming pools have been reopened for professional sports players, as long as health and social distancing guidelines are adhered to. Outdoor cinemas have also been permitted to operate, while indoor cinemas must remain closed. Small family gatherings for Eid celebrations are allowed, but social distancing guidelines must be followed, and Eid greetings should be done virtually.

The Crown Prince of Bahrain has emphasised that the Kingdom will continue to fight the spread of COVID-19, and the health and safety of the community remains the top priority. Bahrain has recorded a total of 251,078 COVID-19 infections and 1,119 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

As of April 2024, Bahrain has further eased coronavirus lockdown restrictions, with shopping malls and some stores reopening. However, everyone must wear a mask in public, and violators face fines and potential jail time. While gyms, public swimming pools, beauty parlors, and entertainment parks remain closed, the number of coronavirus cases in Bahrain has risen to 823 with five virus-related deaths.

Covid-19 restrictions tightening in 2024

Bahrain has entered its second week of lockdown in March 2024, after a surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths. The country has recorded 251,078 infections and 1,119 deaths since the pandemic began.

Lockdown Measures

The Bahraini government has extended its lockdown measures for another two weeks, with shopping malls, stores, restaurants, coffee shops, swimming pools, beauty salons, and barber shops remaining closed. All non-essential medical services have resumed operations, with health and social distancing guidelines in place.

Vaccination Efforts

King Hamad bin Isa has directed that all Bahraini nationals, including those overseas, have access to Covid-19 vaccines. The country has been inoculating residents and citizens with the Sinopharm shot and has introduced other vaccines. About half of Bahrain's population is fully immunized, and the vaccination campaign will now include adolescents aged 12 to 17.

Impact on Tourism

The recent surge in infections has concerned the tourism industry, which was hoping for a post-Covid recovery. Hotel reservations in Bahrain fell by 30% after Saudi Arabia changed its travel guidelines.

Precautionary Measures

Bahrain was one of the first countries in the Arabian Gulf to enforce strict restrictions in March 2020, including closing movie theaters, gyms, public swimming pools, and theme parks. These measures slowed the rate of infection, and the country has since eased some restrictions. However, with the recent surge in cases, Bahrain has tightened some rules again, including requiring everyone to wear masks in public from April 9, 2024, with violators facing fines and potential jail time.

Public Gatherings

Public gatherings of more than five people are prohibited, and residents are urged to stay at home unless necessary. Eid celebrations have been limited to small family gatherings for those residing in the same household, with social distancing guidelines in place.

Ongoing Challenges

The Bahraini authorities continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, focusing on the health and safety of their citizens and residents. The country has made significant progress in its vaccination drive and is taking precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Covid-19 lockdown impact on human rights

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on human rights across the world. In Bahrain, the government imposed a lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. While the lockdown was necessary to protect public health, it also restricted the right to free assembly and expression. The Bahraini authorities have a history of using excessive force to suppress peaceful protests, and the lockdown measures further limited the ability of citizens to exercise their rights. The pandemic has also exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalized communities. The right to health and access to healthcare have been impacted, with disruptions to essential services and limited access to vaccines. The pandemic has also been used as a pretext to impose restrictive measures and infringe on civil liberties. It is important to address these issues and ensure that human rights are protected during the pandemic response.

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