LATEST COVID-19 UPDATE

In line with the directives of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the circular issued by Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA), Bahrain Airport Company has implemented all precautionary measures at BIA to ensure the health and wellbeing of passengers, staff, and the protection of public health in the Kingdom.

The procedures include the screening of passengers’ temperature upon entering the airport and all arriving passengers. To allow time for additional screening procedures, passengers will need to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before their flight departure time.

Wearing face masks is mandatory for all passengers and staff at the airport.

Only passengers are permitted to enter the airport, except for those accompanying passengers with disabilities and escorting unaccompanied minors. Passengers should adhere to the social distancing measures at the airport. Footprint stickers and strap stickers are in place to remind people to keep their distance.

Passengers who do not adhere to the preventive measures in place are refused access to the terminal.

In addition to thorough regular sterilization, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) staff is fully trained to use specialized equipment to sanitize Bahrain International Airport facilities. All frequently touched surfaces such as luggage trolleys, door handles, countertops, and toilets are sanitized periodically.

Plastic security trays undergo intensive sterilization at the entry and exit of the security locations.

A disinfection team is on standby 24/7 to respond to any incidents. Biohazardous waste is segregated at the Arrivals area and washrooms. BAC has placed sanitizers in various locations around the airport for passengers to use.

Robots that use ultraviolet technology have been deployed to disinfect the airport and handrail disinfection systems have been installed at travellators and escalators.

There are two shuttle bus services, one runs from Car park D to the terminal, and the other runs from the aircraft to the terminal. In line with social distancing measures, shuttle buses are running at 50% occupancy. Hand sanitizers are provided onboard and drivers wear masks at all times. Drivers and passengers are also temperatures screened before embarking on the bus. All buses are cleaned and disinfected daily.

In line with the directives of the National Task Force for Combating COVID-19 and the Bahrain Government, all arriving passengers must complete the health declaration form and undergo a PCR test (at their own expense) upon arrival.

Arriving passengers must:

• Download the "BeAware Bahrain" mobile app.
• Pay BHD 40 for the PCR test, which also covers a second test 10 days after arriving in Bahrain. Payments can be made electronically through the app, the national portal www.bahrain.bh or via the payment machines.
• Complete the immigration process.
• Take the test and exit the terminal.
• All arrivals should self-isolate until the PCR test results have been determined.
• Children below the age of 6 are not required to undergo the PCR test.

For any COVID-19 inquiries, please contact the COVID-19 Call Centre on 444.

At present, entry to the Kingdom is restricted to Bahraini citizens, residents, GCC citizens who don’t need visas, passengers eligible to obtain a visa on arrival, passengers with a valid eVisa, diplomats, military personnel, airline crew, or holders of official, service or UN Passports. Visas on arrival have been reintroduced for citizens of eligible nationalities. To determine eligibility, and to obtain an eVisa prior to your departure, please visit www.evisa.gov.bh.

Children below the age of 6 are not required to undergo the PCR test.

Cabin crew, diplomatic staff, children under the age of 6, and those arriving from medical travel are exempt.

Although transfer passengers are not required to undergo PCR testing, they are subjected to thermal screening as they arrive at the terminal, then proceed to the security checks and procedures as departing passengers do.

To allow time for additional screening procedures, passengers will need to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before their flight departure time. Only passengers are allowed entry into the airport, except for those accompanying passengers with disabilities and escorting unaccompanied minors. All passengers will undergo a temperature check upon entering the airport.

Individuals receiving arriving passengers must wait outside the terminal building or in the Multi Story Car Park Building. Similarly, for departures, only passengers are allowed entry into the terminal building and must be dropped off at the curbside drop off area.

In line with the regulations issued by the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and circular issued by Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA), all passengers and airline staff are screened at all entry points of the airport and at travel gates. If a passenger has a high fever, the relevant authorities shall take further action.

Bahrain Duty Free, some food and beverage outlets, ATMs, foreign exchange facilities, as well as car rental and taxi services are available. In line with social distancing measures, the number of customers allowed in stores is restricted.

Social distancing markings are placed 2 meters apart from the service desk to the entrance. Messages are also displayed to remind customers to follow social distancing measures while queuing.

Passengers are encouraged to pay using cards and avoid the use of cash. Wireless card machines, with a separate keypad for those who need to enter a pin, are regularly disinfected with alcohol solution. Collection points are only for picking up products.

Shops are sterilized and disinfected using approved corrective chemicals. Alongside wearing proper PPE and following social distancing guidelines, staff frequently wash their hands and disinfect contact surfaces.

Certain Meet & Assist services are available. Lounges are also available. For more information, visit https://halabahrain.bh.