Cairo: The distribution of meals to expatriate workers, hit by the impact of the new coronavirus, is a "humanitarian gesture" that complies with relevant precautions, Governor of Bahraini capital Manama, Shaikh Hesham Bin Abdul Rahman Al Khalifa has said.
"The distribution process is conducted according to the highest degrees of preventive and precautionary measures, mainly commitment to wearing face masks and observing social distancing rules," he added, according to Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper.
Shaikh Hesham categorically denied any link between the meal distribution and an increase in virus incidence rates among migrant workers in Bahrain.
"There are no gatherings during the meal distribution. Population density already exists in areas where expatriate workers live and the Interior Ministry is working to alleviate it in cooperation with the competent bodies," he said.
"The distribution mechanism, which is periodically reviewed, has helped limit haphazard overcrowding on roads of expatriates' residential areas," Shaikh Hesham added.
Earlier this week, MP Mamdouh Abbas Al Saleh, the head of the Services Committee at the Bahraini parliament, called for banning foreign labour gatherings and stopping giving away iftar meals to expats, blaming it for helping in the spread of the coronavirus.
