Bahrain drops compulsory quarantine for travellers

Travellers flying into Bahrain no longer need to quarantine for 10 days.

All arriving passengers must instead undergo compulsory Covid-19 PCR tests at Bahrain International Airport. Travellers who receive negative test results do not need to quarantine, according to Bahrain's National Medical Task Force for combatting the coronavirus.

Incoming passengers are expected to cover the cost of their coronavirus testing. The rate is currently set at 60 Bahraini dinars (Dh586) per person. Testing will initially be conducted when travellers land at Bahrain International Airport.

All passengers must also download and register on the BeAware Bahrain application to support authorities to contract trace the virus. Pre-payment of Covid-19 test fees can also be done on this app to avoid queuing at the airport.

While quarantine is no longer necessary, arriving passengers must commit to self-isolating until Covid-19 test results are available and confirmed negative.

Travellers who have positive results will receive further instructions from authorities.

All citizens, residents and travellers staying in the country for longer than 10 days must take a follow-up test on the tenth day of their visit.

Bahraini nationals, residents and GCC citizens who do not require visit visas have no further requirements to fulfil if travelling to the kingdom. Other travellers who need a visa to enter the country must apply online before travelling as the issuance of visas on arrival are suspended.

Can I travel to Bahrain for the weekend?

While the removal of a 10-day quarantine period opens up travel to Bahrain in some ways, a short weekend trip is still not wholly straightforward.

That's because travellers do need to self-isolate until the initial test results are available, a period that could take up to 48 hours.

Four Seasons Bahrain Bay. Courtesy Four Seasons Hotels

However, travellers planning a short break can visit the kingdom and will be able to travel around and see the sights after spending the first day or two in isolation. This means it could be a good option for a change of scenery if you have some holidays to take.

Visas on arrival remain suspended for visitors but travellers who are residents of GCC countries can apply online for a GCC Visitor eVisa that allows stays of up to 14 days. Visitors must apply for this before travelling at a cost of BD29 (Dh283).

Travellers visiting Bahrain for less than 10 days do not need to take a second coronavirus test. However, UAE travellers who plan to fly back to the country must have a valid negative coronavirus test to re-enter, so may need to seek out a second test while travelling. Dubai residents flying into the emirate must also apply for permission from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) before travelling.

Are flights operating to Bahrain?

A Gulf Air Airbus A330 airliner stands at the passenger terminal at Bahrain international airport. Phil Weymouth / Bloomberg

Regular flights between the UAE and Bahrain have resumed, with Emirates flying to the kingdom from Dubai, and Etihad operating flights between Abu Dhabi and Muharraq.

Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, resumed flights to the UAE on July 13.

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.