A Pause, Not Goodbye

“The first day was a little panic, but after that we felt we were in safe hands. That confidence came from Bahrain,” said an expatriate, summing up how many residents feel today.

Across Bahrain, some expatriates are choosing to travel, but not out of fear. For many, it’s simply a temporary decision based on personal needs.

The expatriate explained it best: “It’s just a pause.” She said most residents are still in the Kingdom and continue to support Bahrain. Her own departure was only to help her parents travel safely. “Otherwise, we would have stayed,” she added.

Around 192 expatriates received assistance through a special travel arrangement. This includes families, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with medical needs.

The initiative was organised with the support of Gulf Air, with passengers travelling via Dammam before heading to Chennai.

Community group Annai Tamil Mandram played a key role in making this happen, ensuring that those in urgent situations were given priority. Some workers were even allowed to travel free of cost.

A special flight from Bahrain to Chennai (via Saudi Arabia) was organized to help these people travel safely with support from TVS Travel Agency.

Many expatriates shared the same message, there is no panic. A visitor from Pakistan said he was leaving only to celebrate Eid with family. “This is one of the safest places,” he said, adding that he will return again.

Another long-term resident described Bahrain as his “second home,” praising how the country handled situations like COVID-19 and continues to ensure safety.

While some are leaving for now, many others are staying back with confidence.

For most expatriates, this moment isn’t about leaving Bahrain, it’s about taking a short break when needed, while trusting that the Kingdom remains safe, stable, and welcoming.