COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Bahrain (21 July Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• Foreigners can enter the country. Visa-on-arrival and E-visas are available for certain nationalities.

• Passengers arriving from Red List countries, including passengers who have transited through any of those countries at any point in the preceding 14 days, are prohibited from entry unless they are citizens or residents of Bahrain. Effective 13 July, Bahrain added 16 countries to their Red List: Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Panama, Philippines, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Countries that were already on Bahrain's Red List include Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The following categories of travellers are exempted: Bahrain citizens and residents; GCC citizens who do not need visas (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Oman); passengers eligible to obtain a visa on arrival; passengers with a valid electronic visa; military; airline crew.

*Is transit allowed through the country? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• Passengers are allowed to transit through the Bahrain International Airport.

• Passengers arriving from red list countries, including passengers who have transited through any of those countries at any point in the preceding 14 days, are prohibited from entry unless they are: Bahrain citizens and residents; GCC citizens who do not need visas (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Oman); passengers eligible to obtain a visa on arrival; passengers with a valid electronic visa; military, airline crew.

• Passengers transiting through Bahrain International Airport from red-listed or other countries are advised to review their details with the airlines they are intending to travel with due to ongoing changes resulting from COVID-19 repercussions.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• All passengers entering the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival and on their 10th day in Bahrain.

• All travellers arriving at the Bahrain International Airport or at seaports will be required to complete a health questionnaire and will be subject to health screening.

• All passengers arriving from a Red Listed country, including Bahraini nationals and travellers holding a valid residency visa, will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival and on the tenth day after arrival at their own expense. All travellers will be required to self-isolate until a negative test result is issued following the on-arrival testing.

• Passengers under the age of six years, cabin crew, diplomatic staff, and those arriving from medical travel are exempted from the test on arrival.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes

• Travelers who have received a single dose or are not vaccinated must present a negative test certificate with a QR code for a PCR test administered within 48 hours of their departure.

• Bahraini nationals and passengers holding a valid residency visa arriving from a Red Listed country will have to present an approved PCR test certificate with a QR Code issued 48 hours before departure

• Passengers arriving from countries that are not on the red list have to undergo the PCR test 72 hours before departure.

• Arrivals into Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway are required to provide a negative PCR certificate valid from a test taken up to 72 hours before arrival.

• Passengers under the age of six are exempt from the above restrictions.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes, with exceptions

• All arriving passengers (vaccinated or unvaccinated) must enter quarantine for 10 days at their residence or a licensed quarantine facility and must undertake another PCR test on the 10th day unless specifically exempted as specified below. Arrivals must provide proof of a pre-paid booking in their name at a quarantine facility or in the case of entering quarantine at home, provide proof of residence, whether owned or rented in their name or in the name of an immediate relative, before their departure to Bahrain.

• Vaccinated passengers from the United States, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, or Singapore are not required to enter quarantine upon arrival, provided they present a vaccination certificate issued by their countries. However, they must still undergo a PCR test upon arrival and on the 10th day of their stay in Bahrain.

• Passengers aged 6 or below are exempted from mandatory quarantine.

• Based on the above restrictions, incoming travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or required to spend up to 10 days in quarantine, depending on their vaccination status and travel history.

*Entry form required? *

• Yes

• Travellers entering Bahrain through airports or ports will be required to complete and submit a health questionnaire.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• All travellers must download the BeAware Bahrain app in advance and sign an agreement to self-isolate, which requires them to quarantine at their place of residence until their arrival test results are available.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

• Vaccinated travellers will be provided with a pass on arrival which will allow them access to services and establishments within Bahrain.

Is insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Bahrain International Airport is open but flights are reduced and subject to cancellation with little or no advance notice.

• Bahrain has suspended flight routes from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Nepal. Exceptions are as follows:

• Bahrain citizens and residents

• GCC citizens who do not need visas (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Oman).

• Passengers eligible to obtain a visa on arrival.

• Passengers with a valid electronic visa.

• Military and transportation crew.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Visas-on-arrival are applicable for a number of countries. A list can be found here.

• Further information on specific travel requirements regarding e-visas and travel may be obtained from the following official websites: visa selection criteria and application.

• Travellers should be prepared for travel restrictions to Saudi Arabia with little or no advance notice, therefore travellers are discouraged from travelling to Bahrain for the sole purpose of entering Saudi Arabia.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• Currently, no curfew is in effect.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Public gatherings of over six people have been banned.

• Citizens are advised to stay at home and go out for essential purposes only.

• Elderly people and pregnant women should use the first hour of grocery store openings to complete their shopping.

• Bahrain uses a COVID-19 Alert Level Traffic Light System based on positivity rates to guide sector activities across the Kingdom of Bahrain.

• Yellow level procedures are in place in Bahrain. This includes allowing special events in homes for no more than 30 people, applying the policy of working from home to all government agencies with 50 percent of the number of employees, providing the option to attend education and training institutions, in addition to entering government centers and shops outside the complexes.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks are required.

• Public transport and taxis are operational with social distancing measures.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes

• Access to shopping malls is allowed only for the fully vaccinated person or those who have recovered from COVID-19. However, grocery markets, bakeries, gas stations, auto repair shops, and pharmacies remain open for vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals with a limited capacity.

• Retail stores are open for all vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Hotels and private rental accommodations are allowed to open but must follow public health measures.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Restaurants are open only for fully vaccinated individuals or those who have recovered from COVID-19 and for those under the age of 12 accompanied by a vaccinated or recovering person. Food and beverage outlets are available for takeout and delivery services.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes

• Cafes are open only for fully vaccinated individuals or those who have recovered from COVID-19 and for those under the age of 12 accompanied by a vaccinated or recovering person. Food and beverage outlets are available for takeout and delivery services.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open with some social restrictions.

• Prayers have resumed in mosques, including Friday prayers. Attendance is limited to those with proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 on the “BeAware Bahrain” app.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• No

• Beaches remain closed.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

• Yes

• Museums are open.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Salons and barbershops, gyms and beauty parlours are allowed to reopen only for fully vaccinated individuals or who have recovered from COVID-19 and for those under the age of 12 accompanied by a vaccinated or recovering person.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Special events in homes are allowed for no more than 30 people.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in all public places, including on all public transportation. Failure to wear a face mask may result in the individual being penalized.

Other

• Access to indoor services like swimming pools, cinemas, sporting events and events & conferences, are allowed to reopen for fully vaccinated individuals or who have recovered from COVID-19 and for those under the age of 12 accompanied by a vaccinated or recovering person with a limited capacity.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.