As the number of coronavirus cases declines, Bahrain relaxed some of its restrictions on Sunday, allowing people to eat inside restaurants and reopening educational institutions to students. Restaurants and cafes, which had been limited to take-out meals since late January, will now open with a maximum of 30 customers at a time, according to the ministry of health. Swimming pools and sports facilities are permitted to reopen on Sunday, but social events of more than 30 people in private homes and venues remain forbidden.

Officials from the Ministry of Health advised people to get vaccinated and to continue to practice social distancing and handwashing. Following a steady rise since December, daily case numbers have dropped from a high of 896 in mid-February. On Sunday, the nation, which provides residents and people with four vaccine options, reported 579 new cases. Daily cases in the United Arab Emirates, which has one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, have also decreased from a high of 3,977 in early February to 1,992 on Sunday.

According to the newspaper Khaleej Times, which cited a health ministry circular, private hospitals in the UAE will restart elective surgeries, cosmetic procedures, and physiotherapy treatments that had previously been suspended. (Lisa Barrington contributed to this piece.) Raissa Kasolowsky edited the piece.)

Source