MANAMA — The Public Health Directorate at Bahrain"s health ministry has announced the closure of one restaurant for one week for its failure to comply with the precautionary measures to combat COVID-19. During 99 inspection visits carried out by the inspectors of the health ministry, in coordination with the interior ministry and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), to 99 restaurants and cafés across Bahrain, 13 restaurants were found in violation of precautionary measures and were referred to the competent authorities. The health ministry indicated that the restaurants had violated the provisions of ministerial edict on the mandatory health guidelines to be put in place in order to limit the spread of the pandemic, noting that the Public Health Directorate’s law enforcement officers had coordinated with their counterparts from the Interior Ministry and Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry, represented by the Inspection Directorate and decided to close the restaurant for one week. The health ministry stressed the need to implement the precautionary measures and decisions of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus, including restricting entry to shopping malls, as well as indoor spaces of restaurants and cafés to individuals aged 18 and above who are vaccinated and have completed 14 days after the second dose, in addition to those who have recovered from COVID-19. These outlets are also required to check the temperature of their visitors, reduce their capacity according to the permissible percentage, mark standing and waiting for places, ensure social distancing, prevent crowding, and provide sanitizing supplies. On the other hand, the Environmental Health Department visited a number of salons and closed three (two men’s and one women’s). The violating salons allowed the entry of active cases who are required to be under quarantine and must not contact others. A sports hall was also closed for flouting the precautionary measures in place to curb the spread of the pandemic. Meanwhile, cafés, restaurants, and salons with minor violations were requested to address them immediately. — Bahrain News Agency