Bahrain Mirror: The government of Qatar decided to host the 31 Bahrainis who were stranded in Iran and wanted to return home, after the Bahraini authorities refused to receive them.

The Government Communication Office of Qatar said "On 27 March 2020, 31 Bahraini citizens arrived in Doha on a Qatar Airways flight from Iran. As Bahrain does not allow commercial flights from Qatar, the State of Qatar inquired with officials in Bahrain as to how Qatar could assist in the travelers' efforts to return home."

"Qatar offered to fly the Bahraini citizens on a private charter flight to Bahrain at no expense to the individuals or the government of Bahrain. The government of Bahrain declined this option," the statement read.

It continued "As the health and safety of all individuals in Qatar, and around the world, is paramount at this time, the Ministry of Public Health has administered coronavirus tests for the 31 Bahraini citizens and provided them with accommodation in a quarantine hotel at no cost to them or the government of Bahrain."

"It is our hope that by the end of this two-week quarantine, the government of Bahrain will allow their citizens to return home. If not, we will continue to host them," a statement from the Government Communication Office said.

Arabic Version