Coronavirus: Bahrain one of first nations to ease lockdown as malls reopen
April 9, 2020, 7:36 am

Coronavirus: Bahrain one of first nations to ease lockdown as malls reopen

People wearing masks seen in the heart of the Bahraini capital Manama. (File photo AFP)

Bahrain announced that shopping malls and some stores will reopen on April 9, joining only a few countries worldwide in loosening restrictions imposed to slow the spread of novel coronavirus.

Shopworkers and customers will be required to wear masks while they are in the stores, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism said.

Retailers must also control the number of people in shops at any one time to prevent overcrowding, and ensure that surfaces are disinfected regularly, the ministry added.

Seef Properties, the leading property management company in Bahrain, announced that it would reopen all stores at its malls, including all shops at Seef Mall in the Seef district, Seef Mall in the city of Muharraq, and Seef Mall in Isa Town.

The decision comes as the number of coronavirus cases in Bahrain rose to 823 with five virus-related deaths.

Bahrain was among the first countries in the Arabian Gulf to enforce strict restrictions, including closing all movie theaters, gyms, public swimming pools, and theme parks on March 18.

The restrictions seem to have slowed down the rate of infection, with the number of new cases falling in recent days.

A vendor distributes protective face masks in Manama before restrictions on travel and businesses were imposed. (File photo: Reuters)

Everyone must wear a mask in public starting from April 9, the Ministry of Health said, adding that violators will be fined 10,000 Bahraini dinars ($26, 518) and could face a three-month jail term.

Gyms, public swimming pools, shisha cafes, beauty parlors, and entertainment parks will be closed until April 23, the health ministry announced.

Supermarkets and food stores must still designate their first opening hour to the elderly and pregnant women to minimize their risk of infection.

Public gatherings over more than five people are also prohibited, and everyone is urged to stay at home unless necessary, the ministry added.

source: Tamara Abueish

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”