DAMMAM — The King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA) has given exemption from paying PCR laboratory test fee to five categories of passengers bound for Bahrain by crossing the causeway. They are accredited diplomats and their families; those returning from an official government mission; foreign military personnel on official missions and their families; those returning from treatment trips at the expense of the Ministry of Health and their companions; and those participating in clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine in Bahrain. Children under the age of six years are exempt from undergoing a laboratory examination. The authority emphasized the importance of adhering to the instructions regarding the health procedures to enter Bahrain for Bahraini citizens and travelers from Saudi Arabia. They need to conduct a PCR test to confirm they are free from coronavirus before arrival in Bahrain in one of the Bahraini or Saudi laboratories accredited by Bahrain, and the PCR test result shall be valid for a period of 72 hours or they shall undergo PCR test at the traveler's expense upon arrival in Bahrain at a cost of SR400. The authority said that PCR test through its mobile application "Mujtama Wai" or through one of the official Saudi smartphone applications for travelers whose test results are negative is accepted. The original PCR certificates issued by the Bahraini or Saudi laboratories accredited by Bahrain are also accepted. KFCA said that travelers without PCR test document must conduct a PCR test in the designated area of the causeway, and the examination fee can be paid upon arrival in cash or by debit or credit cards.
