Bahrain: Commercial, Industrial Activities to Resume Under Strict Conditions

Employees sit behind their desks, as they wait for customers at a travel agency, following the outbreak of coronavirus, after the decision to ban travel to several countries, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 12, 2020. REUTERS/ Ahmed Yosri
Employees sit behind their desks, as they wait for customers at a travel agency, following the outbreak of coronavirus, after the decision to ban travel to several countries, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 12, 2020. REUTERS/ Ahmed Yosri
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Bahrain: Commercial, Industrial Activities to Resume Under Strict Conditions

Employees sit behind their desks, as they wait for customers at a travel agency, following the outbreak of coronavirus, after the decision to ban travel to several countries, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 12, 2020. REUTERS/ Ahmed Yosri
Employees sit behind their desks, as they wait for customers at a travel agency, following the outbreak of coronavirus, after the decision to ban travel to several countries, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 12, 2020. REUTERS/ Ahmed Yosri

Bahrain announced the resumption of commercial and industrial activities that provide direct services to customers as of Thursday, under strict precautions and health measures that include continuous sterilization, reducing the number of employees, working remotely as much as possible, and ensuring social distancing.

The announcement came in a press conference on Tuesday, in the presence of Fayekah Al-Saleh, Minister of Health, and Zayed al-Zayani, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourists, who in turn emphasized the closure of sports clubs, cinemas, buffets, cafes, and restaurants, except for food take-away and deliveries.

Zayani added that the concerned governmental committee has decided to resume commercial and industrial activities that provide services and goods directly to customers while taking the necessary health precautions and applying teleworking when possible.

The Minister of Health stressed that people in public places are required to wear masks.

For his part, Lt. Col. Manaf Al-Qahtani described as normal the increase in the number of people infected with the virus.

“But all these increases are within the pre-emptive precaution plans developed by the Kingdom of Bahrain,” he said, noting that the expectations indicate a further increase in infections next week.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.