Foreign Ministry Undersecretary briefs ambassadors on Bahrain's efforts to combat COVID-19

Manama, Mar. 4 (BNA): The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, has briefed the ambassadors accredited to Bahrain on the most important steps the Kingdom has so far taken to confront Coronavirus (COVID-19) Present at the meeting were Lt. Col. Dr. Manaf Al Qahtani, Infectious Diseases Consultant & Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital and Member of the National Taskforce for Combating COVID-19. Dr. Shaikha Rana outlined the important initiatives and precautionary steps taken by Bahrain since the outbreak of the virus in China to boost awareness among Bahraini citizens, both in the Kingdom and abroad, as well as residents. She spoke of the necessary prevention measures to avoid infection and curb the virus spread and talked about the most important action taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the national campaign to combat COVID-19. In this respect, she cited the ministry’s publication of educational materials and its notification of all citizens, both in the Kingdom and abroad, through its social media accounts, including Twitter and Instagram, and the accounts of Bahrain’s diplomatic missions abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Follow-up Office set up a round-the clock hotline ( 17227555) to respond to all public inquiries as well as hotlines at all the diplomatic missions abroad to ensure that all queries are answered and assistance provided at all times, Dr. Shaikha Rana added. L.t Qahtani briefed the diplomats on the time sequence of the medical and logistical decisions and measures taken by Bahrain to combat the virus. The National Taskforce for Combating COVID-19 followed the directives of the Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, who ordered the formation of a taskforce, headed by Chairman of the Supreme Council for Health, Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, to tackle the situation, Al Qahtani said. The ambassadors expressed their thanks and appreciation to Bahrain for its considerable efforts.