NINETEEN people will stand trial for allegedly breaking self-quarantine rules and violating regulations in place to combat the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), writes the GDN's Noor Zahra.
The defendants, who will appear before the Lower Criminal Court on Wednesday, include 12 people who allegedly violated home quarantine rules and four commercial store managers who violated laws enforced to monitor health and safety measures in stores and industrial areas to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The defendants also include three people who violated decisions to shut down commercial and industrial stores as part of national efforts to contain the pandemic.
“Investigations have been completed in connection with 19 people who broke the rules,” said Prosecutor Adnan Al Wadaei in a statement yesterday.
“The defendants who were previously released on bail will appear at the Lower Criminal Court on Wednesday.
“Investigations are continuing into several other suspects who committed similar offences.”
The GDN reported last Thursday that 132 people had been referred to the Public Prosecution for violating Covid-19 precautionary measures.
A day earlier, the GDN reported that 60 people may face trial for breaking home quarantine rules after coming into contact with Covid-19 positive cases following an investigation into reports.
They were examined and samples taken after which they were informed by special doctors they must self-isolate at home for 14 days in accordance with procedures followed for people who have been in contact with Covid-19 cases.
During follow-up investigations it was found that the 60 suspects had left their homes on different dates and were interrogated and released on a financial guarantee.
Two people were handed three months of mandatory house arrest after being found guilty by the Lower Criminal Court of breaking the self-quarantine rule.
This included a Bahraini man who went to buy fish in violation of the self-isolation rule.
The GDN reported last month that a lawyer and businessman were also given three months’ mandatory house arrest by the same court for breaking the self-quarantine rule.
