08-06-2021

The Kingdom of Bahrain, through its pioneering and diverse experiences, has achieved remarkable successes at various levels and throughout different periods, particularly in times of crisis. Most notably, the Kingdom demonstrated exceptional competence in responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This success, in its various dimensions, was achieved thanks to the noble and sound directives and wise humanitarian decisions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, and to the advanced, well-considered, and effective executive plans and unlimited support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, who continues to lead Team Bahrain and the medical team with outstanding ability and dedication throughout more than sixteen months of tireless effort, commitment, and achievement. His Royal Highness continues to closely follow all matters relating to the health, economic, social, and humanitarian affairs of citizens and residents, devoting the majority of his time to monitoring developments in the management of the epidemic, exploring effective solutions, drawing on the insights of international organisations and experts, and periodically reviewing decisions in line with changing circumstances—consistently placing the public interest at the forefront and allocating resources as needed to preserve the health and safety of all those living in this generous nation. The recent affirmations by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God protect and preserve him, on the importance of solidarity during this global crisis, and his reassurance to citizens and residents that the Kingdom of Bahrain, with God’s will and through collective cooperation, will emerge safely from the pandemic, have served as a source of comfort and noble royal encouragement to all segments of Bahraini society. His Majesty’s continued support for Team Bahrain, under the leadership of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, affirms his confidence in national efforts to overcome the pandemic. These efforts have been embodied in the dedication and sacrifice of team members who have worked persistently to safeguard public health and safety amid the extraordinary challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has become a beacon of hope and a clear reflection of Bahrain’s ability to rise to challenges—a testament to the sincere faith in the strength, unity, and determination of the people of Bahrain. As a modest contribution to documenting this pioneering experience, we outline some of the key initiatives the Kingdom of Bahrain implemented to combat the Coronavirus pandemic, across the following dimensions: health, economic, and social. Firstly: Health Dimension The National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus, comprising distinguished medical leaders with extensive knowledge and experience, has addressed multiple challenges while placing the health and safety of all individuals as a top priority. This has included conducting free daily tests—recently exceeding 20,000 per day—and bringing the total number of tests since the onset of the pandemic to over 4.6 million. These efforts have focused on early detection of cases and contacts. Moreover, the Kingdom ensured the timely provision of internationally approved vaccines upon their release to global markets and authorisation by the World Health Organization, thereby reinforcing its efforts to control and prevent the spread of the virus. Bahrain also provided the required medication, quarantine and isolation centres, and comprehensive preventive measures, grounded in complete transparency, a strong emphasis on public awareness, and a shared responsibility approach to ensure no complacency undermines the progress made. This strategy has reassured citizens and residents that a vigilant system is in place to safeguard their health and well-being. All thanks and appreciation are due to the medical team, whose commitment and sacrifices have been instrumental in achieving these noble goals, which the people of Bahrain will not forget. Secondly: Economic Dimension By an unprecedented decision issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, a financial and economic package exceeding 4.5 billion Bahraini dinars was launched to safeguard the nation and its citizens from the adverse consequences of the pandemic-related precautionary measures on individuals and institutions. This initiative profoundly impacted economic growth and enabled the private sector to overcome the crisis while maintaining stability in national employment. This was achieved by injecting financial liquidity to alleviate the burdens and obligations shouldered by employers, and by creating conditions that enabled the private sector to continue operating as competitively as possible and to fulfil its responsibilities in sustaining the momentum of the national economy. As a result, the Kingdom preserved its international credit rating and maintained the strength of the Bahraini dinar exchange rate, unlike many other currencies globally. This performance positioned Bahrain at the top of Gulf and Arab countries as the best destination for expatriates during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the 2021 survey conducted by “InterNations”, which canvassed the views of expatriates living and working abroad. Several measures contributed to achieving this economic stability, most notably: - Paying the wages of more than 100,000 insured Bahraini workers in the private sector for three months (April, May, and June), extended for an additional three months (July, August, and September), at a rate of 50% for Bahrainis in the affected sectors. This support continued until the end of 2020 for the most severely impacted sectors. Additionally, two support portfolios were allocated for taxi drivers, public transport drivers, bus and coach operators, and the salaries of female employees in kindergartens and nurseries were covered. Support measures remain ongoing for the most affected sectors, in line with evolving developments. - Support measures are still ongoing for the most affected sectors in accordance with the developments imposed by the measures to combat the pandemic . - Finding immediate jobs for Bahrainis who lose their jobs, noting that the layoff rate in 2020 was 9% lower than the layoff rate in 2019 . - Providing liquidity to ensure business continuity for licensed and registered commercial establishments through the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) programme. - Doubling the liquidity fund from 100 million to 200 million Bahraini dinars to support private sector enterprises. - Suspending monthly Labour fees and fees for issuing and renewing work permits for three months from 1 April 2020, followed by a 50% fee reduction for a further three months from 1 July 2020, and full fee exemptions for the most affected sectors for another three months. - Continued monitoring of the Labour market to ensure employers’ compliance with the Private Sector Labour Law, particularly wage payments and the resolution of Labour disputes, to maintain the stability of national talent in their roles. - Instruct banks to defer loan instalment deductions for six months (April to September 2020) without interest, and encourage banks to extend loan deferrals to year-end and, later, until August 2021 for those who requested, at nominal charges. Banks responded appreciatively to these directives, easing financial burdens for citizens. - Launching the National Employment Program 2.0, which includes a series of initiatives—most notably, a budget of 120 million dinars for employment and training support, tighter regulation of professions to prevent violations by foreign workers, and extending vacancy announcements in newspapers from two to three weeks. The programme aims to employ 25,000 Bahrainis and provide 10,000 training opportunities in 2021, with wage support of 70% for up to three years. Third: Human and Social Dimension The Kingdom of Bahrain has distinguished itself in the humanitarian and social spheres with competence and merit. Numerous decisions have been taken to protect citizens, ensure a secure and stable living environment, and uphold social and economic protections—while simultaneously continuing development programmes for the benefit of citizens and residents. The most prominent of these decisions are: - Continuing timely disbursement of social assistance to vulnerable groups, including financial support such as the cost-of-living allowance, social security, disability allowance, compensation for lifting meat subsidies, housing (rent) allowances, and living allowances for retirees—at an annual cost exceeding 435 million dinars. - Launching the "Feena Khair" (There is Good in Us) campaign, under the leadership of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor, and Board of Trustees Chairman of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF). The initiative mobilised 17.43 million dinars to assist vulnerable groups, including productive families, uninsured business owners, and contract workers. Projects included distributing 10,000 computers to students, food baskets under the “Your Food at Home” project, meal distributions during Ramadan, the establishment of an epidemic treatment centre, support for distance learning and digital platforms, and debt settlement via the Ministry of Interior’s “Fael Khair” application. - Continuing the Cabinet’s decision to double social security and disability allowances during Ramadan in 2020 and 2021. - Covering electricity and water bills for all residential and commercial subscribers for nine months (April to December 2020), including foreign residents and expatriate workers for the initial three-month period. - Supporting job stability by preserving employment levels and ensuring priority for Bahraini citizens under the National Employment Program. - Providing essential services to residents without discrimination, including - Free treatment at health centres, free COVID-19 testing and vaccines, and access to a wide range of services safeguarding their health and wellbeing. - Launching the "Together for Bahrain’s Safety" campaign by the Supreme Council for Women, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women. The campaign focused on alleviating the financial burdens of female debtors during the pandemic. - Thousands of volunteers—citizens and residents alike—actively supported health, security, and civil defence teams by disinfecting public spaces and distributing essential supplies. - The Royal Humanitarian Foundation distributed His Majesty the King’s grant to 1,000 families registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and supported more than 500 micro-entrepreneurs associated with the Family House and the Ministry. - The Ministry of Labour and Social Development continued providing care and shelter services for children (including those of unknown parentage, orphans, and children from broken families), persons with severe disabilities, and the elderly, while enforcing strict preventive health protocols at all its Centres in coordination with the Ministry of Health. In summary, despite the extensive range of decisions and actions taken across the health, economic, social, and humanitarian dimensions—of which the above are but a glimpse—the defining feature of Bahrain’s response has been its people's unity, resilience, and solidarity. The Kingdom has ensured that no person living on its soil, whether citizen or resident, was left to face hardship alone. Bahrain’s commitment to this principle is rooted in its humanitarian ethos and unwavering belief in human dignity. May God protect the Kingdom of Bahrain, its leadership, and its people from all harm.