Requirement Two NIHR follow-up of strengthening efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the face of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic 1. When the global spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) started, the Kingdom 2. 3. 4. 5. of Bahrain quickly established a national team to combat its spread. Several precautionary measures were put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus, and a number of health isolation centers for the infected with the virus were established, in addition to a few other quarantine centers for those in contact with them. All precautionary measures and decisions were issued by the Coordinating Committee headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – the Crown Prince - Prime Minister, may God protect him, and came within the framework of combating the coronavirus (COVID-19), with the aim of preserving the health and safety of citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain. All measures and decisions taken by the Country’s supreme leadership in the context of combating the coronavirus were in line with international human rights standards, what the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for, and the recommendations of the World Health Organization. They received a positive response from the Bahraini society, which played a major role in the success of societal partnership aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus. The Kingdom of Bahrain has consistently selected balanced measures to a degree that guarantees the rights of individuals and protects the safety of society in line with what the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for. Accordingly, the Kingdom of Bahrain has been keen not to impose any unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions. Rather, the Kingdom has motivated citizens and residents to stay home and away from gatherings by offering random financial rewards to those who adhere to safety and prevention measures without imposing a curfew throughout the Kingdom. The government, represented by the Ministry of Health, has taken it upon itself to provide the necessary free medical care and services to all citizens and residents alike for confirmed observed cases, in implementation of the Royal Directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa - the King of the Country - may God protect and preserve him, where he directed the Ministry of Health to ensure the provision of medical care and health services for examination, quarantine and treatment to all citizens and residents in the Kingdom. NIHR Bahrain- Eighth Annual Report 2020 60