Public Security Chief chairs meeting

Manama, Jan.26 (BNA): Chief of Public Security, Lieutenant-General Tariq Al Hassan chaired an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Management Committee at the Bahrain International Airport with the participation of the panel members and representatives of concerned authorities. The meeting was part of the directives of Interior Ministry and Head of the Civil Defence Council to take precautionary measures to prevent the spreading of the new Corona-virus that started in some areas in China. The Chief highlighted that the Interior Ministry had taken various steps, including the activation of the National Disaster Combating Centre and enhancing the level of preparedness of the National Ambulance. He highlighted the importance to form an executive team to document procedures as a guide to deal with such cases. He asserted the readiness of the National Emergency Plan to deal with any extraordinary situation through previously approved national plans that are updated and developed regularly. He directed to implement and intensify the required precautionary measures through the "epidemiological investigation" for arriving cases and to take necessary steps to detect any case, also, to warn those who want to travel to countries with suspected cases. He expressed thanks and appreciation to the Health Ministry and concerned authorities for monitoring and following the latest developments through coordination with the World Health Organisation and other countries to confront the disease and create the required preventative environment. He confirmed that until now no suspected or confirmed cases were reported in Bahrain and requested to seek information from official sources. He also thanked the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, represented by the Civil Aviation Affairs, Ports Affairs Directorate and Bahrain International Airport Company for their initiatives in cooperation with the Health Ministry to back the precautionary plans. During the meeting, the Health Ministry Undersecretary, Dr. Waleed Al-Mana'a highlighted the spreading methods of the virus, its risks and preventatives procedures, including monitoring ports and coordination with other Gulf countries. The panel was also briefed on the readiness of various authorities and their swift responses as part of a coordination and cooperation system to be able to deal with any changes or implications. He revealed that the committee is in a permanent session to tackle any sudden situation and provide the required services, also set alternative plans. He also highlighted the activation of an awareness plan to promote the general safety of the public. After the meeting, the Chief and the committee members inspected the airport and its precautionary measures, including the allocation of a gate to screen all arriving travellers and the steps that would be taken to deal with suspected cases, such as medical tests and referring the cases to isolation rooms at the airport before referring them to the isolation ward of the Salmaniya Medical Complex for treatment.