Holding of special events and activities in Bahrain will be allowed again subject to stringent Health Ministry regulations, it has been revealed.

Regulatory decisions to this effect were expected to come into force on January 31. The implementation of the decisions will be subject to continuous evaluation, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) said.

It said the move has been decided in coordination with the ministries of Health, Interior and Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

Events which will be attended by more than 30 persons will require a special licence issued by the BTEA through a service to be launched on its website, said a Gulf Daily News report. It will be also be mandatory for such events, whether held indoors or outdoors, to have a nurse present.

Covid-19 negative test certificates, valid for 48 hours, will have to be submitted for all those attending. The total number of people attending should not exceed 150 for each licensed event, the authority was quoted as saying in the report.

Earlier last month, BTEA had asked hotels and tourism facilities to desist from hosting gatherings, including events, weddings, etc. The authority cited the increase in Covid-19 infections as a result of family gatherings, especially on occasions such as weddings and special events, in addition to laxity and recklessness in applying the precautionary Measures for the decision.

It stressed all individuals and institutions to comply with the mandatory precautionary measures in order to support national efforts to combat the pandemic.