Bahrain: Authorities to modify COVID-19-related international travel restrictions from Aug. 29 /update 4

Event

Authorities in Bahrain will modify the country's COVID-19-related international travel restrictions effective Aug. 29. Under the new directives, vaccinated travelers arriving from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries or countries with which Bahrain has signed a mutual vaccination recognition agreement will not be required to present a negative result from a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test or quarantine upon arrival. However, these travelers must still take a PCR test upon arrival in Bahrain, as well as on the fifth and 10th days after arrival.

Vaccinated passengers aged six and older with an approved vaccination certificate from a country whose citizens are eligible to obtain an on-arrival visa must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. They must also take a PCR test upon arrival, as well as on the fifth and 10th days after arrival. These travelers will not be required to undertake a quarantine period upon arrival.

Passengers who are not fully vaccinated and those without vaccine certificates recognized by Bahrain must present a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, take a PCR test upon arrival, quarantine for 10 days at their residence or at a government-approved quarantine center, and take additional PCR tests on days five and 10 after arrival. From Aug. 29, those under the age of 12 arriving from non-red-listed countries are permitted to quarantine for only five days after arrival.

Many countries remain on Bahrain's red list, which is updated once per month. Nonresident foreign nationals arriving from red-listed countries, including those who have transited through any such locations in the previous 14 days, are prohibited from entering Bahrain, with few exceptions. Generally, only Bahraini citizens and residents will be permitted to enter from these countries. For details on red-listed countries, click here.

All permitted travelers aged six and older arriving from red-listed countries, regardless of vaccination status, must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure for Bahrain; they must also take a PCR test upon arrival, as well as on the fifth and the 10th days after arrival. All red-listed arrivals must quarantine for 10 days at their residence or at a government-approved quarantine center.

The following measures more general international travel measures also remain in effect:

• Entry is generally restricted to Bahraini citizens and residents, GCC citizens who do not need a visa (i.e., citizens of Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE), passengers eligible to obtain a visa on arrival, and passengers with a valid electronic visa. For a full list of nationalities eligible to obtain a visa on arrival, click here.

• All passengers must complete the Ministry of Health's Health Declaration Form and download the BeAware Bahrain application before departure. To view the form, click here.

• All COVID-19 tests are conducted at the traveler's expense.

• Incoming travelers arriving via the King Fahd Causeway must provide a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

With regard to restrictions on domestic activity and business, Bahrain employs a COVID-19 Alert Level Traffic Light System, which stipulates differing levels of domestic restrictions based on the rolling average COVID-19 positivity rate. For more detailed information on measures enforced at each level, click here.

Stringent public health controls are in effect; for details on precautionary measures enforced at various venues in Bahrain, click here.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

Bahrain International Airport
Gulf Air (GF)
Bahrain's Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs (NPRA) office
BeAware Bahrain App
World Health Organization (WHO)
Nationalities Eligible for Visa on Arrival