MANAMA: A man has been jailed for a year as authorities in Bahrain clamped down hard on violations of health safety measures during New Year celebrations.
Thirteen people and 11 outlets have also been fined between BD1,000 and BD5,000 for flouting mandatory Covid-19 precautionary measures.
The Second Lower Criminal Court, mandated by the Cassation Court to work throughout New Year holiday, handed down the one-year jail sentence and a fine of BD5,000 against the man for failing to implement precautionary measures related to restaurants and sheesha cafés, the Supreme Judicial Council secretary general said yesterday.
The suspect, who was previously involved in violating mandatory precautionary measures, was referred to the Public Prosecution for organising a New Year’s Eve party that was attended by more than 200 people, the Chief Prosecutor at the Ministries’ Prosecution said.
He said the outlets fined yesterday had violated the social distancing measures while holding New Year celebrations, including non-commitment to the distance between tables, the existence of more than 30 persons indoors, non-commitment to the numbers for each table, and use of multi-use sheesha hoses.
All the violating restaurants and cafés were closed, and the issue was referred to the Public Prosecution, he said.
The Public Security said it had intensified checks to ensure safety measures were observed as part of its zero-tolerance policy towards lapses, its deputy head Major General Abdulla Al Zayed said.
Over the past few days, top health officials have been warning people against letting their guard down amidst a sudden surge in coronavirus cases after a sustained drop in their numbers.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Prime Minister, himself also warned citizens and residents against complacency in the crucial fight against the pandemic.
The nation’s top medics said on Wednesday that the threat of the coronvirus lurked around us and cautioned the public to be vigilant.
Later, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority warned that any tourist facility found violating Covid-19 guidelines during New Year celebrations could face temporary closure and a fine of up to BD10,000. It also cancelled the annual fireworks display as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
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