Covid-19: Bahrain sets mandatory 10-day quarantine for all non-vaccinated travellers

The kingdom has also suspended entry to visitors from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan amid a coronavirus spike

Bahrain is seeking to attract FDI into its healthcare and education sectors. Getty Images

In a response to the rising number of Covid-19 cases, Bahrain has updated its entry rules for travellers planning to fly to the country.

From May 24, Bahrain suspended entry to travellers coming from countries on its Red List. This includes India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Only Bahraini citizens and residents can return from these destinations.

The kingdom has also reintroduced mandatory quarantine for all non-vaccinated travellers arriving in Bahrain. Travellers now have to take a PCR test before flying and on arrival, and then also complete a 10-day home or hotel quarantine.

The Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs announced the suspension of entry for travellers arriving from Red List countries and quarantine for non-vaccinated passengers on Monday, with the new rules coming into effect immediately.

Citizens of Bahrain and passengers holding a valid residency visa are exempt from the suspension and can still fly to the kingdom from Red List countries. However, they must follow the quarantine rules in place for non-vaccinated travellers, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Mandatory quarantine for non-vaccinated travellers 

Non-vaccinated passengers arriving from countries not included in Bahrain's Red List must also quarantine for 10 days. This can be at a place of residence or in a government-designated hotel.

All arriving travellers must take a PCR test no more than 48 hours before flying to Bahrain and negative test certificates must contain a QR code. Passengers will take another PCR test on arrival in Bahrain, and again on day 10. A negative result from the third test will end the quarantine. Children aged 6 and under are exempt from testing.

Travellers who are vaccinated and hold a Bahrain-issued vaccination certificate, or an approved vaccination certificate from a GCC country, are exempt from both quarantine and PCR testing requirements, unless coming from a Red List country.

Incoming passengers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait can show evidence of their vaccination through certification or an official mobile application such as the UAE's Al Hosn app.

Anyone flying to Bahrain with a vaccination certificate from the US, the UK, the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan or Singapore must take a PCR test before flying and on arrival, but will be exempt from quarantine.

Read our complete guide on travelling to Bahrain here.

Record-high cases and accelerated vaccinations

Bahrain has witnessed a spike in coronavirus case numbers in May, with a record high reported on Friday, May 21, when 2,858 people tested positive for Covid-19.

The most recent data from Johns Hopkins University shows that Bahrain recorded 2,719 new cases on Sunday, as well as 15 new deaths.

The country is working to manage the coronavirus pandemic and is now administering vaccinations quickly. It has moved into third place in the global rankings for vaccination rates, behind the UAE and Israel, respectively.

Almost 42 per cent of the population is now fully vaccinated. Only vaccinated people in Bahrain can access indoor services, including at restaurants, shops and malls.

Bahrain and the UAE recently announced a vaccine corridor. From the first day of Eid, travellers have been able to go between the Gulf island and the UAE without quarantine. This remains unaffected by the new entry regulations for Bahrain.