Riyadh, November 18 / BNA / The Information and e-Government Authority and the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the ‘Health Passport’, which guarantees citizens and residents traveling between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia that meets the standards set by both kingdoms to combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19). ).
This step supports the efforts of the National Task Force to combat the Corona Virus (Covid-19).
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Information and e-Government Authority Muhammad Ali Al-Qaed and the head of the authority, Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, in a ceremony held at the authority’s headquarters in Riyadh, in the presence of Ambassador Sheikh Hamoud bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa and other officials from both countries.
It aims to harmonize the precautionary and monitoring measures for COVID-19 in both kingdoms to simplify the traffic through the King Fahd Causeway. It takes advantage of the technical compatibility of the BeAware Bahrain and Saudi ‘Tawakkalna’ apps by linking the health passport information hosted on the two apps with the major passport systems of the two kingdoms, helping to determine the eligibility of travelers based on COVID-19 health rules.
Connecting the systems will provide a comprehensive and accurate database of travelers, which will facilitate procedures and save time and general effort. It will enable King Fahd Causeway employees to immediately check the personal and health data of travelers, in addition to enhancing security and privacy.
The Leader thanked His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his directives since the beginning of the epidemic, which prioritizes the health and safety of citizens and residents.
He also praised the efforts to combat the virus, led by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and with the support of the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, adding that the memorandum of understanding reflects the closer relations between the two countries and highlights their efforts to combat the virus.
The Information and eGovernment Authority launched BeAware Bahrain on March 31, 2020, using artificial intelligence and big data technologies.
Today, it is a comprehensive electronic government system, providing a wide range of pandemic-related services such as vaccine and booster vaccination registration, issuance of PCR test results, test appointment bookings, services for travelers such as arrival and departure announcements, payment for arrival tests and more.
The Leader said that BeAware Bahrain contributed to the achievement of Bahrain’s e-participation, digital policies, and open data, which were adopted in October.
The goal is to enhance the availability of information and electronic services used by various sectors, encourage innovation, and support business.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud, Chairman of the Commission for his follow-up and guidance to strengthen relations between the two countries and spread technologies to achieve the highest levels of safety for travelers and facilitate movement between the two kingdoms.
He added that the memorandum of understanding confirms the strong relationship between the two kingdoms and their commitment to protect citizens and residents from the impact of the pandemic.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to launch an e-government platform such as ‘Tawakulna’, which supports the efforts of government agencies to limit the spread of COVID-19. Users have been able to easily access a range of epidemic-related services through the application, most notably the health passport, which speeds up travel procedures by allowing access to PCR test results, information on vaccine doses, and insurance policies against the Corona virus.
The health passport is linked to border regulations and is required for verification before plane tickets are issued.