Bahrain Lockdown: What's The Current Situation?

As of April 2020, Bahrain was in the midst of a COVID-19 lockdown. The country had seen a record jump in new cases, with 456 confirmed infections on April 6, 2020, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 9,337. The Bahraini government responded by imposing a two-week nationwide shutdown to curb the spread of the virus.

Bahrain was one of the first countries in the Arabian Gulf to enforce strict restrictions, including closing all movie theatres, gyms, public swimming pools, and theme parks on March 18, 2020. Everyone was required to wear a mask in public, with violators facing a fine of 10,0000 Bahraini dinars ($26,518) and a possible three-month jail term.

However, by October 2024, Bahrain had eased its coronavirus lockdown, with shopping malls and some stores reopening. Despite the easing of restrictions, Bahrain still had several measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus. These included mandatory mask-wearing in public, limiting the number of people in shops, regular disinfection of surfaces, and designating the first opening hour of supermarkets and food stores for elderly and pregnant women.

Bahrain's COVID-19 lockdown restrictions

Bahraini COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia, situated on the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, centred on Bahrain Island, which makes up around 83% of the country's landmass. Bahrain is the third-smallest nation in Asia after the Maldives and Singapore. The country has a population of 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023, with 712,362 Bahraini nationals.

Lockdown Restrictions

In 2020, Bahrain experienced a lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the specific dates of the lockdown are unclear, it appears to have occurred in late April 2020, with restrictions easing in October 2020. During this time, Bahrain implemented several measures to curb the spread of the virus. Here are the key lockdown restrictions that were in place:

• Social Distancing and Gatherings: People were urged to stay at home unless absolutely necessary, and public gatherings of more than five people were prohibited.
• Mask Mandate: Everyone was required to wear masks in public starting from April 9, 2020. Violators faced fines of 10,000 Bahraini dinars ($26,518) and possible jail time.
• Closure of Non-Essential Businesses: All movie theatres, gyms, public swimming pools, and theme parks were closed on March 18, 2020. Additionally, entertainment parks, gyms, public swimming pools, shisha cafes, and beauty parlours were ordered to remain closed until April 23, 2020.
• Retail Restrictions: Shopping malls and some stores were closed during the lockdown and reopened on April 9, 2020, with strict safety protocols in place. Retailers were required to control the number of people in shops, ensure regular disinfection of surfaces, and mandate the wearing of masks for both shop workers and customers.
• Travel Restrictions: Bahrain International Airport, the country's biggest and busiest airport, was affected by the lockdown and travel restrictions globally.

Impact on Daily Life

The COVID-19 lockdown had a significant impact on the daily lives of Bahrainis. Here are some key ways in which the lockdown affected the population:

• Lifestyle Changes: Studies showed that lifestyle factors such as dietary habits, sleep patterns, and physical activity worsened during the lockdown. There was an increase in the consumption of fast food and takeaways, with more meals consumed per day. Screen time use also doubled, with people spending more than five hours per day on screens for entertainment.
• Economic Impact: The lockdown had economic repercussions, with certain sectors, such as retail and tourism, facing challenges due to the closure of non-essential businesses. However, Bahrain's diversified economy, including its strong banking and tourism sectors, helped mitigate some of the negative effects.
• Social and Cultural Impact: The lockdown restricted social gatherings and cultural events, affecting social interactions and cultural practices. The inability to hold large gatherings also impacted wedding traditions, with some couples opting to delay their marriages.
• Healthcare Access: The lockdown measures aimed to reduce pressure on the healthcare system by preventing the spread of the virus. However, essential healthcare services, including hospitals and medical clinics, remained operational during the lockdown.

The impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle and dietary patterns

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the lifestyle and dietary patterns of people around the world. In Bahrain, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 1005 adult Bahrainis to understand the impact of the pandemic on their dietary habits, physical activity, sleep, and perceived weight. The study found that there was a higher consumption of fast food and takeaways, with 63.5% of participants consuming more than four meals per day, compared to 36.5% before the pandemic. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was also high, with about 19% drinking them once a day and 10.6% drinking them two to three times a day.

In terms of physical activity, the study found that there was a decrease in overall physical activity during the pandemic, with more participants reporting that they never performed any exercise. However, those who exercised one to three times per week had the highest rates of perceived weight gain. The study also found that screen time use doubled during the pandemic, with participants spending more than five hours per day on screens for entertainment.

The pandemic also affected sleep patterns, with a higher proportion of participants reporting poor sleep quality (31.2% during the pandemic vs. 12.2% before). Additionally, 39.7% of participants reported feeling lazy and less energised during the pandemic.

Overall, the study concluded that the lifestyle and dietary habits of the Bahraini population changed drastically during the pandemic, with an increased reliance on processed fast food instead of healthier options. These findings highlight the need to promote healthier lifestyle modifications during pandemic situations and develop strategies to mitigate the negative impact on dietary and lifestyle habits.

Bahrain's response to the pandemic

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. It is situated on the Persian Gulf and comprises a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands. The country is famous for its petroleum-based economy, but it also boasts a relaxed, cosmopolitan culture.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahrain was among the first countries in the Arabian Gulf to enforce strict restrictions, including closing all movie theatres, gyms, public swimming pools, and theme parks on March 18, 2020. The Bahraini government also mandated that everyone must wear a mask in public starting from April 9, 2020, with violators facing a fine of 10,000 Bahraini dinars ($26,518) and a possible three-month jail term.

During the pandemic, Bahrain experienced a decline in the general marriage rate between 2014 and 2020. The general marriage rate is the total number of marriages per 1,000 people over 15 years of age in the population. This measure accounts for changes in population and is, therefore, more accurate in representing the propensity to get married. The decline was significant, with the 2019 general marriage rate in Bahrain at 4.7, a 40% drop from 7.9 in 2014.

Despite the strict restrictions, Bahrain saw an overall increase in marriages in the fourth quarter of 2020, when many pandemic-related restrictions had been lifted. This increase may be attributed to delayed marriages during the peak of the pandemic and the easing of economic hardships.

In terms of lifestyle and dietary patterns, a cross-sectional study conducted among 1005 adult Bahrainis revealed some interesting findings. The study showed an increase in the consumption of fast food and a higher dependence on takeaways during the pandemic. About 63.5% of participants consumed more than four meals per day, compared to 36.5% before the pandemic. There was also a rise in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, with about 19% reporting drinking sweet beverages once daily.

Additionally, the study found that screen time use doubled during the pandemic, with participants spending more than five hours per day on screens for entertainment, increasing from 22.4% before the pandemic to 51.9% during the pandemic. Furthermore, about 39.7% of participants reported feeling lazy and less energised during the pandemic, compared to only 7.5% before.

Overall, Bahrain's response to the pandemic included strict lockdown measures, which helped slow the rate of infection. However, the pandemic also had notable impacts on various aspects of Bahraini society, including marriage rates and lifestyle choices.

The country's COVID-19 case numbers

In October 2024, Bahrain eased its coronavirus lockdown as malls and some stores reopened. Bahrain was among the first countries in the Arabian Gulf to enforce strict restrictions, including closing all movie theatres, gyms, public swimming pools, and theme parks on March 18, 2020.

The restrictions seemed to have slowed down the rate of infection, with the number of new cases falling in recent days. As of October 16, 2024, the number of coronavirus cases in Bahrain rose to 823, with five virus-related deaths.

In March 2021, Bahrain recorded 126,981 students studying in government schools. The country's total population is 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023.

Bahrain's vaccination status is unknown, but the country has a universal healthcare system, and healthcare expenditure accounts for 4.5% of its GDP.

The economic impact of the pandemic

Bahrain was one of the first countries in the Arabian Gulf to enforce strict restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including closing all movie theatres, gyms, public swimming pools, and theme parks on March 18, 2020. The restrictions were successful in slowing down the rate of infection, with the number of new cases falling in recent days.

The pandemic had a significant negative impact on Bahrain's financial transactions, consumer behaviour, and the private sector. Retail activity decreased, and household consumption was restructured, with an emphasis on consumption within homes (such as food, furniture, entertainment, and telecommunications) rather than outside the home (such as hotels, clothing, and travel).

The pandemic also affected the Bahrain Bourse (BHB), the country's only licensed stock exchange. In 2020, the BHB experienced its worst daily falls since the 2008 global financial crisis. However, by the end of 2021, the BHB had recovered, with the Bahrain All Share Index (BHBX) closing 20.6% higher than the previous year.

The pandemic also impacted Bahrain's capital markets, with foreign participation decreasing due to a general move away from emerging markets by international funds. However, the capital markets have been able to bounce back, attracting investors and providing a sound platform for listed companies to raise funds. Successful bond issuances, improvements in regulatory and oversight standards, and increased digitisation have contributed to this recovery.

The pandemic also led to changes in dietary patterns and lifestyle behaviours in Bahrain. There was an increase in the consumption of fast food and a higher dependence on takeaways, with more meals being consumed per day. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was also high, and screen time use doubled during the pandemic. Additionally, the pandemic had a negative impact on physical activity levels, with a decrease in physical activity reported during this period.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant economic impact on Bahrain, affecting various sectors such as retail, stock markets, and consumer behaviour. However, there have been efforts to recover and bounce back, with the government implementing crisis packages and the Central Bank of Bahrain slashing interest rates to support businesses and the economy.

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