Bahrains Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has signed a MoU with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to launch a ‘health passport’
This passport will ensure that citizens and residents travelling between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia meet criteria set by both the kingdoms to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
It aims to align the COVID-19 precautionary and monitoring measures of both kingdoms to streamline traffic via the King Fahd Causeway. It capitalises on the technical compatibility of the BeAware Bahrain and Saudi’s ‘Tawakkalna’ apps by linking the health passport information hosted on the two apps with the two kingdom’s main passport systems, which helps determine the eligibility of travellers based on COVID-19 health rules.
The agreement was signed by iGA CEO Mohammed Ali Al Qaed and SDAIA pesident Dr Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi at a ceremony held at SDAIA’s premises in Riyadh, in the presence of Shaikh Hmood bin Abdulla bin Hamad Alkhalifa and other officials from both countries.
Al Qaed thanked HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, for his directives from the onset of the pandemic, which prioritises the health and safety of citizens and residents. He also commended the efforts in combatting the virus, led by the crown prince and prime minister, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and supported by the minister of interior, Lt- General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, adding that the MoU reflects the close ties between the two countries and highlights their efforts to combat the virus.
The iGA launched the BeAware Bahrain app on March 31, 2020, utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and Big Data. It has become a comprehensive government eSystem now, offering a wide range of pandemic-related services such as vaccine and booster shot registration, PCR test results issuance, test appointment bookings, and services for travelers, such as arrival and departure declarations, payments for tests for arrivals, and more.
Al Qaed said that BeAware Bahrain has contributed to achieving Bahrain’s eParticipation, digital and open data policies, which were adopted in October. The MoU underlines strong relationship between the two kingdoms and their commitment to the protection of citizens and residents from the impact of the pandemic.
