The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Waleed Al Manea, highlighted that the Ministry has initiated yesterday its International COVID-19 Repatriation Programme (ICRP), evacuating the first group of Bahraini nationals from Iran, via a chartered plane.

Dr. Waleed noted that the Ministry has followed comprehensive health guidelines, in line with WHO guidelines, to ensure all passengers returning to the Kingdom are thoroughly tested and do not pose a threat to the community.

Dr. Waleed further noted that out of the 165 passengers within the first group of the ICRP, 77 passengers had tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), with 88 testing negative. Dr. Waleed added that the passengers with active COVID-19 have been swiftly transferred for isolation and treatment, whilst the other passengers have been transferred for quarantine for further monitoring.

Given the high volume of passengers testing positive for the virus, Dr. Waleed underlined that further health measures and guidelines will be added within the ICRP, to ensure that the health and safety of citizens and residents within the Kingdom remains safeguarded.

Furthermore, Dr. Waleed emphasised that additional flights to repatriate citizens will be scheduled in a manner which ensures that the Kingdom’s testing, isolation, quarantine and treatment capacities are maintained in line with WHO established guidelines.