Bahrain to Dubai Flights Temporarily Suspended due to Coronavirus Spread

Part of a precautionary measure against the spread of Coronavirus, Bahrain has suspended flights on Tuesday to Dubai airport for international travel.

This action comes as a result of Bahrain’s monarchy having doubts about screenings of incoming passengers in Dubai and nearby Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. It said the ban was immediate and would last at least 48 hours.

The ban was made necessary after Bahrain counted its first case of the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 illness on Monday in a school bus driver who transited Dubai while coming from Iran. Later, it confirmed a second case, also a traveler from Iran via Dubai.

Dubai International Airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Officials at Sharjah’s airport could not be immediately reached.

Dubai has been screening passengers on incoming flights from China, where the outbreak began. Long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad are among the few international airlines still flying to Beijing. But the scare in the region increases to grow as nearby Iran, Afghanistan and Kuwait also reported their cases of coronavirus.

Transparency of the Iranian government has come under speculation as it rejects the initials report of more than 50 cases of coronavirus.

Kuwait and Bahrain reported their first cases of the coronavirus, the health ministry has confirmed, after a Bahraini citizen arriving from Iran was suspected of having contracted the virus, based on emerging symptoms. Turkey, Pakistan, Oman and Armenia closed their borders with Iran, as Tehran reported more coronavirus infections and deaths.

Neighbouring Afghanistan also introduced travel restrictions after confirming its first case of coronavirus on Monday in western Herat province after announcing three suspected cases.