TWO coffee shops were shut down yesterday by the Health Ministry within hours of receiving a tip that two coronavirus (Covid-19) patients visited the cafe.
BDF Hospital infectious diseases consultant and microbiologist and Coronavirus Control and Monitoring Committee Head Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani revealed they immediately launched an investigation after receiving information.
“I want to praise our media team because within hours of receiving the tip, an investigation was launched and the two coffee shops were closed,” he said.
He said they had identified individuals who came in close contact with the two patients, and their test results will be announced.
He highlighted there are no scientific studies to prove that the virus is spread through smoking sheesha.
“The situation in Bahrain is currently being studied and I assure you if there is a one per cent chance that this virus may spread (through sheesha), we will take necessary measures,” he said.
Meanwhile, MP Khalid Bounq, who has repeatedly urged the government to force the closure of sheesha cafes to contain the spread of the virus, revealed that the two positive cases were in a coffee shop in Sanad.
“These two people returned from an Arab country and didn’t adhere to the instructions,” the MP posted on his Instagram account.
“We raised the issue in Parliament warning about the possibility of this virus spreading through sheesha cafes and Kuwait has taken the initiative and imposed a ban.”
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