PEOPLE have been blasted for their reckless behaviour and for violating social distancing guidelines that are unnecessarily risking lives.
Bahrain’s MPs have also called for higher fines and stricter punishments for people violating measures put in place to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Bahrain has been witnessing an increase in daily Covid-19 cases in the last month, from an average of 60 cases a day to around 200 cases a day with the numbers going over 300 in the last few days and registering a massive jump to over 600 on Sunday.
Closure
The GDN reported yesterday on the temporary closure of Bilaj Al Jazayer beach in Zallaq after a video went viral on social media showing more than 100 people gathering there, many without masks and ignoring social distancing rules.
Parliament’s first vice-chairman Abdulnabi Salman yesterday voiced his strong objection to reopening public places including mosques.
“People are behaving as though it is all over, which is not the case, and they are losing focus on precautions which can cost the country heavily,” he said.
“It is not only about one beach but also about the general feel in the last few days – we are seeing people in malls and parks without masks and flouting social distancing norms.
“We need to open again and get back to normal, but not so quick as it will have a negative impact.
“Relaxing restrictions and people ignoring guidelines have led to the increased cases, which directly or indirectly leads to fatalities.”
The surge in new active cases follows the five-day Eid Al Fitr holiday where people were urged to maintain social distancing and limit family gatherings to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Salons, barber shops and beauty parlours also reopened last Wednesday under directives to follow strict guidelines while restricting majority of the services. These businesses had been shut down in March as Bahrain introduced stringent measures to battle the pandemic.
الزحمة اليوم في بلاج الجزائر 😳😳😳😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/UGkx61NhSk
— ديرتي البحرين (@Deertybhr) May 29, 2020
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman Ahmed Al Salloom said the increase in cases was due to a rise in the number of tests conducted in the country.
However, he also called for stricter punishments as more people were ignoring guidelines and called on the public to be responsible.
“We need to open businesses and other public places and we must accept the fact that we have to learn to live with the virus,” he said.
“This responsibility is now on the people and I think we need to implement the law sternly on those who violate the regulations.
“I am sure we have had families, both citizens and expats, visiting each other’s homes during Eid and we also saw a large crowd at the beaches during the weekend.
“They were all clearly violating regulations and they must be punished for risking lives.
“Higher fines and longer jail terms must be implemented so that people don’t take things lightly.
“We cannot risk lives or the economy – we need to have a balanced way forward.”
MP Zainab Abdulameer also echoed similar views and reminded people of their responsibility towards the country and society.
“It is unfortunate that there are some people who are no longer committed to certain measures, mainly wearing masks or abiding by social distancing. This was evident in the video about Al Jazayer beach,” she said.
“Adhering to the measures and guidelines issued by the authorities is the duty of everyone to help in combating the virus and alleviate the mounting pressure on medical teams.”
Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah) said it was keen to reopen the beach amid tighter protocols and once an agreement is finalised on the enhanced policies and procedures between the parties concerned.
raji@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))