Bahrain eases coronavirus restrictions, allowing shops to reopen

May 6, 2020

Bahrain has joined a growing number of Middle East states in easing its coronavirus restrictions, with shops set to resume business on Thursday, the Health Ministry said. 

All customers and employees are required to wear masks and businesses must reduce the number of people inside their facilities, according to a report from Bahrain’s state-run news agency. Floor markings for queueing at entrances are required to ensure social distancing. 

On March 26, Bahrain shuttered shopping centers and all other non-essential businesses. Movie theaters, sports centers and salons will stay closed under the new guidelines, and restaurants and shisha cafes remain barred from providing table service. 

Grocery stores will continue to set aside their first hour of operation for the elderly and pregnant women. 

At 3,720 cases and eight deaths, Bahrain has reported a relatively low number of infections compared with the rest of the Gulf region. Most of the recent cases involve expat laborers, the Health Ministry said.