quarantine center set in Sitra area. On its turn, NIHR raised the issue to the competent authorities for their consideration. 82. The NIHR documented its efforts in following up the conditions of human rights during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and tasks performed in following up the precautionary measures set by the Kingdom of Bahrain to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) posted on its website (http://www.nihr.org.bh/CoronaNews). b. Monitoring national efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain in combating coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic 83. Implementing the directions of HRH the King of Bahrain- may God protect him- to consolidate national efforts at the local level to encounter the implications of the spread of coronavirus globally, to ensure the health and safety of citizens and resident in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and based on the core responsibility that the NIHR is committed to follow, it continued to followup and monitor national efforts for combating coronavirus (COVID-19). 84. The first national efforts were reflected in establishing the National Taskforce for Combating Covid-19 based on a Council of Ministers decision taken on 3 February 2020, led by HRH the Prime Minister and to be headed by the President of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), to prepare strategies, plans, and medical protocols to prevent the spread of the virus and protect from it. 85. Within NIHR mandate to incessantly protect human rights, especially during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), it reviewed all the legislation and decisions taken, as well as monitored the measures and efforts implemented to combat the pandemic, ascertaining at the same time that the Kingdom of Bahrain was consistent in selecting balanced measures in a way that guaranteed individual rights and at the same time protected the public safety in line with the calls of the UN Commission on Human Right (UNCHR) in its report published on 27 April 2020, and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The NIHR confirms that the Kingdom of Bahrain was keen not to enforce any unnecessary or disproportionate restrictions. 86. The government of the Kingdom of Bahrain - through the Ministry of Healthwas keen to provide free medical care and services to all the citizens and residents equally for the cases recorded, in compliance with the directions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who informed the Ministry of Health to be responsible for providing all the medical care and health services to all the citizens and residents in the Kingdom. 87. Based on Paragraph (a) of Article No. (8) of the Constitution which stated that “Every citizen is entitled to health care. The State shall concern itself with public health and shall ensure the availability of means of prevention and NIHR Bahrain- Eighth Annual Report 2020 35