MANAMA — The King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA) has completed all preparations to receive passengers crossing the bridge linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. "All equipment has been completed as part of a development plan which began ever since the movement was halted due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the authority said in a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency reported on Saturday. Preparations were in full swing after Saudi Arabia issued a statement lifting the ban on citizens to travel abroad and announced the reopening of the land, sea and air borders, starting, from Monday (May 17). KFCA Chief Executive Officer Emad Al-Muhaisan praised Saudi and Bahraini leaderships for their keenness on citizens' and residents' health and safety, imposing mandatory precautionary measures to combat the pandemic and curb infections. He said that the decision to lift the ban on traveling between the two countries will contribute to the re-establishment of social ties and the strengthening of economic activities in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Al-Muhaisan announced that the levels of readiness will be raised to the highest degree by opening all causeway lanes, adding that competent authorities in both countries will apply the regulations and requirements stipulated by the health authorities for the departure and arrival of travelers. In a statement on Saturday, he said that permission to leave Saudi Arabia would be restricted to vaccinated passengers and those who have recovered as shown in the (Tawakolna) application or a coronavirus insurance certificate for those under the age of 18 years. As for passengers heading from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, they will be required to carry any of the health applications approved in the GCC countries, which confirm whether they are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus as shown in the "Tawakolna" application or the approved applications in the GCC countries. Passengers can also show PCR certificates which should not exceed a period of (72) from the time of taking the sample. He said that the National Medical Taskforce For Combating COVID-19 in Bahrain had announced the precautionary measures from the first day of Eid Al Fitr, canceling the arrival COVID-19 tests. Passengers will be required to display the green logo of the vaccinated and recovered in the official applications approved for them or submit vaccination and recovery certificates issued by the ministries of health in the GCC countries without the need to apply a precautionary quarantine. The decision to cancel the COVID-19 tests does not apply to the age groups between 6-17 years and those who are not vaccinated or have not recovered from the virus. Passengers coming to Saudi Arabia will not be subjected for now to additional procedures for Saudis, while travelers from other nationalities are required to have PCR certificates not exceeding the period of (72) hours from the time the sample is taken, or any further requirements that are added by the competent authorities. KFCA chief stressed the importance of following up on updated requirements issued by the official authorities in both countries. He urged passengers to adhere to all the precautions and restrictions to avoid any problems or difficulties that may face them, stressing the necessity of complying with preventive measures to ensure their safety of travelers.
