Qatar News - Find the latest news and updates in Qatar

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Al Farkiah Beach: Baladiya announces timings and days for Al Farkiah Beach

Al Farkiah Beach: Baladiya announces timings and days for Al Farkiah Beach

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) in a recent tweet announced the days and timings for Al Farkiah Beach and they are as follows:

  • Sunday and Wednesday: Women and children only from 7 AM to 10 PM
  • Rest of the week: For families from 7 AM until midnight (12am)

Source: MME
Cover image source: MME

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November 29, 2020 Comments (0)

Qatar Visa Centres in India will open their doors on December 3, 2020 | MoI

Qatar Visa Centres in India will open their doors on December 3, 2020 | MoI

A long wait for Indian expats has come to an end as Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) has confirmed the reopening of Qatar Visa Centres (QVCs) in India.

MoI tweeted on its official handle, “Visa Centre in the Republic of #India will reopen on Thursday, 3 December 2020.“.

MoI Qatar has opened Qatar Visa Centres in India to facilitate all kinds of visa procedures in India itself to expats traveling to Qatar for work. QVCs provide Biometric Enrollment and also Medical Screening Services.

Individuals can make appointments to visit QVCs through the website: https://www.qatarvisacenter.com/ – There are 7 QVCs which are operational in India | New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.

Qatar Visa Centers in India – Find below Address, Hours of Operation and Contact Info:

  1. Mumbai (Bandra East): 201/2, Hallmark Business Plaza, Sant Dyaneshwar Marg, Near Gurunanak Hospital, Bandra East, Mumbai – 400051
  2. Chennai (Saligrammam): Shyamala Towers,1st Floor, East wing, 136 Arcot Road, Saligrammam, Chennai – 600 093
  3. Delhi (Akshardham): Unit no 2, Lower ground floor, Parsvnath Mall, Akshardham Metro Station, Akshardham, New Delhi. 110092
  4. Hyderabad (Telangana): Ground Floor, South Wing (Krishe Block), Krishe Sapphire Building, Hitech City Road, Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500081.
  5. Cochin (Edappally): Door No 38/4111/D, Ground Floor, National Pearl Star building, Near Changampuzha Park Metro Station, Edappally Cochin-682024, Kerala
  6. Kolkata: Bengal Intelligent Park, Building Gamma, 1st Floor, Block-EP & GP, Sector-V, Salt Lake Electronics Complex, Kolkata – 700 091
  7. Lucknow (Gomti Nagar): BBD Viraj Towers, 2nd Floor, TC G/1A – V/3 Vibhuti Khand, Shaheed Path, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow Pincode – 226010, Uttar Pradesh.

Hours of Operation:

  • Biometric Enrollment: 08:30 HRS – 16:30 HRS
  • Medical Screening: 09:00 HRS – 17:00 HRS
  • Email: [email protected]

Telephone:

  • +91 44 6133 1333 (Phone assistance is available from Monday to Friday between 08:30 HRS – 17:00 HRS)

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November 27, 2020 Comments (0)

Automatic exceptional entry permit upon departure for Qatar residents traveling abroad | With effect from Sunday, 29-November

Automatic exceptional entry permit upon departure for Qatar residents traveling abroad | With effect from Sunday, 29th November 2020

In a statement announced by Government Communications Office (GCO) on 26th November 2020, it has been announced that in continuation of the procedures for gradually lifting the coronavirus restrictions imposed in the State of Qatar and based on health indicators in Qatar and internationally, and on previously announced Qatar’s travel policy, following are the changes made to the exceptional entry permit

For Residents currently in Qatar:

  • Automatic exceptional entry permits will be issued upon departure to residents who are currently in Qatar and wish to travel outside Qatar and return.
  • Residents or their employer can obtain copy of the exceptional entry permit from the Ministry of Interior’s website
  • Exceptional entry permit will now be available automatically upon resident’s exit (departure) from Qatar

For Residents currently outside of Qatar:

  • Automatic exceptional entry permit will not be available for residents who are currently outside the state of Qatar
  • Residents outside Qatar when they return to Qatar must apply for the exceptional return permit via Qatar e-governmental Portal

Quarantine Procedure:

  • Irrespective of the destination, Quarantine period will be for 1 week for those who return to the state of Qatar
  • Home quarantine will be permitted for those who arrive from countries with low risk of COVID 19 listed under “Green List” by the Ministry of Public Health’s (MoPH). Click here to find “Green List” countries.
  • Hotel quarantine for all those who arrive from countries which are not listed under “Green List”
  • For those who use shared quarantine facilities, quarantine period will be for two weeks.

The decision is based on national and international epidemiology statistics.

COVID-19 Test:

  • A Coronavirus (Covid-19) test will be conducted upon arrival if the traveler has not taken a test 48 hours before arriving in Doha by one of the Ministry of Public Health’s accredited COVID-19 testing Centers
  • On the 6th day from the date of arrival to Doha, a second Coronavirus (Covid-19) test will be conducted.
  • Until the results of the second Coronavirus (Covid-19) test is obtained, the Ehteraz app status will continue to remain yellow

These decisions will come into effect from 29th (Sunday) of November 2020. To know more visit the Ministry of Public Health’s website.

Source: GCO Qatar

 

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November 27, 2020 Comments (0)

10th Katara Traditional Dhow Festival 2020 from 1 – 5 Dec 2020

The 10th edition of Katara Traditional Dhow Festival 2020 is all set to begin on 1st of December and runs until 5th December 2020.

  • Schedule: 1-5 December 2020
  • Timings: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm daily (On 4th Dec 4 it starts from 3:30 pm until 11:00 pm)
  • Entry: Free. No tickets required
  • Location: Driving directions https://goo.gl/maps/duK7fDr8QZc2WPiq9

Qatar has a special love on traditional sailing boats called as dhows which has a long history. As a part of that Qatar has launched an event for Traditional Dhow Festival 10 years back. Dhow Festival will be held at the Katara Cultural Village starting from Dec 1, 2020.

This years Dhow Festival features Oman, Kuwait, Iraq and Zanzibar along with Qatar. Participating countries in this edition along with Qatar are Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, and Zanzibar.

Reflecting the heritage of Qatar’s ancestors Dhow festival features performances, activities, exhibitions of the maritime heritage collections and competetions amoung the participating countries. Also there will be Omani Folk Band performance everyday, traditional stage shows, story-telling sessions and more…


“The 10th edition of the Katara Traditional Dhow Festival is being launched this year amid continuing health and safety precautionary measures against Covid-19 as per the Ministry of Public Health protocols to protect all members of society,” says Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara.

He also added that, “The distinguished festival is based on the remarkable success it has achieved in the past decade as the most important international cultural and heritage forum that restores maritime heritage in its originality, arts, and tradition, through activities that contribute in culturally enriching the younger generation. The festival is much awaited each year and has a special place in the hearts of its fans and visitors.”

Image: Just for illustrative purposes only

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November 26, 2020 Comments (0)

The first batch of an approved Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Qatar by the end of this year

The first batch of an approved Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Qatar by the end of this year.

Qatar is all set to procure a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is released for global use.

A senior health official has said that, the first batch of an approved Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Qatar by the end of this year.

Manager of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Dr Hamad Eid al-Romaihi told Al Rayyan TV that Qatar has signed agreements with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to procure Covid-19 vaccines.

Under the agreement signed by the MoPH with Pfizer, Qatar will have priority in obtaining vaccination for the coronavirus, he said.

He expects the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to reach the country at the end of 2020.

The Moderna vaccine, on the other hand, will come in the first half of 2021 based on the agreement with the company.

Dr Al-Romaihi said the MoPH has made sure that there are multiple sources to obtain vaccines from to ensure that the required quantities are available in the country.
Explaining the vaccination process, he said, priority will be given to people at risk of infection, such as the elderly as well as those with chronic diseases, in addition to medical personnel on the frontlines of dealing with Covid-19 cases.

He referred to the efficacy levels of Covid-19 vaccines, as announced by the two leading pharma companies, noting that Moderna’s experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19 based on interim data from a late-stage trial, while Pfizer’s early data showed that its vaccine developed with BioNTech, is more than 90% effective. These percentages are high given that the effectiveness of the seasonal influenza vaccine ranges between 40% and 60%, he observed.

On whether it is possible for one person to be infected with Covid-19 more than once, Dr al-Romaihi said studies conducted in Qatar indicated that the chances of getting infected twice with the virus are low — four cases per 10,000 people. “The percentage is very small,” he added.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) had revealed that it had been in talks with several pharmaceutical companies to secure the vaccine and had already signed an agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech to supply Qatar with their BNT162 mRNA-based candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Last month, the Ministry had also confirmed that it had signed another agreement with US-based Moderna, a Massachusetts-based biotech company.

Source: gulf-times.com | Image: Just for illustrative purposes only

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November 19, 2020 Comments (0)

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has won the Elite Hospital Award

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has won the Elite Hospital Award

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has won the Elite Hospital Award as part of the Arab Hospitals Federation Gold Initiative, which aimed to showcase the efforts of healthcare providers across the region during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Source: QNA

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November 16, 2020 Comments (0)

Film buffs to experience first drive-in cinema experience at this year’s Ajyal Film Festival

Film buffs to experience first drive-in cinema experience at this year’s Ajyal Film Festival 

The 8th edition of the festival that will be held from November 18 to 23 promises to have an exciting lineup of MENA and Qatar premieres this year. The festival will screen 80 films from 46 countries including 22 features and 50 shorts and 31 films by Arab filmmakers.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI said that the festival will be a hybrid event of online and in-person activities that will ensure the creative vibrancy of Qatar while taking active responsibility for the physical health and safety of all participants.

Doha Film Institute in a tweet quoted Alremaihi; “We take great pride in our Ajyal community and believe now more than ever in the importance of meaningful connections in these trying times and exceptional circumstances.”

The festival will open with Majid Majidi’s Sun Children, one of the most acclaimed Iranian films of the year and an official selection of the Venice Film Festival. The movie tackles child labor and is claimed to be a must-see for film lovers.

In what promises to be a first for Doha Film Institute, this year’s Ajyal Film Festival will bring the communal film going experience to audience in a unique drive-in cinema experience at Lusail, according to a recently held press conference

In what promises to be a first for Doha Film Institute, this year’s Ajyal Film Festival will bring the communal film going experience to audience in a unique drive-in cinema experience at Lusail, according to a recently held press conference.

The first Egyptian and second Arab film to win a Short Film Palme d’or at Cannes 2020 ‘I am afraid to forget your face’ will be screened at Ajyal Film Fest.

Late last month, speaking at a Zoom meeting with local media, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, stressed they have been working closely with concerned government entities to ensure a safe festival for the young jurors with several options and opportunities for jurors to enjoy experiencing this year’s jury programme

“We’re working with the Ministry of Education. We’re talking to students in schools and universities to let them know that we are really working hard to deliver a safe festival, taking into consideration all necessary precautions. We’re working very closely with the Ministry of Public Health and all government entities,” said Alremaihi.

This year’s festival jury programme will be in a hybrid format combining online and onsite offerings.

“Everything will be available online for anyone who registers as a juror; they can watch films, attend Q&A’s and Ajyal Talks. Jurors whose ages are 18 and above can come and watch all their films in Katara while those below 18 years old can watch one film at Katara one time,” she explained.

Safety precautions will be applied during the screenings including checking the Ehteraz app and body temperature and ensuring social distancing. The jurors will be watching the films with their peers in smaller groups, she stressed.

“I want to give the parents peace of mind. I want to assure them that when they register their kids, they have options. It can be online or if they want they can bring them to the festival to watch a film. We have every option available for everyone who cannot come but there are opportunities for people to come and enjoy the festival on the ground,” she said.

One of the online features of this year’s festival is the virtual juror’s hub, an online space where the jury members can meet their peers and their mentors and talk, she added.

This year’s film festival will run from November 18 to 23 and the Jury Competition programme will be from November 11 to 23.

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November 13, 2020 Comments (0)

Doha 2030 promises an exceptional experience when it hosts the 2030 Asian Games

Doha 2030 promises an exceptional experience for fans and athletes when it hosts the 2030 Asian Games

Doha promised to deliver an exceptional experience for fans and athletes when it hosts the 2030 Asian Games (Doha 2030), given the country’s great experience in hosting international sporting events.

The Doha edition will allow all participants and attendees to travel between stadiums in the shortest amount of time.

Commenting on the occasion, President of Qatar Olympic Committee and Doha 2030 H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said that Doha is one of the richest capitals in the world when it comes to sports facilities, given its preparation for the World Cup 2022. His Excellency added that the modern transport system is part of the heritage left by the Doha 2006 games. His Excellency noted that the focus for the next 10 will be on developing Asian sports by working with the Olympic Council in Asia and with other national Olympic committees on the continent.

Qatar enjoys having a modern road, railway, and metro networks among other transport means that facilitate the movement of massive numbers of fans during Doha 2006. Thanks to the transport system, the commute time between the different stadiums does not exceed 20 minutes.

Source: Qatar News Agency

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November 8, 2020 Comments (0)

Flu vaccines will be made available free of charge to citizens and residents of Qatar

Flu vaccines will be made available free of charge to citizens and residents of Qatar

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced recently that, the seasonal influenza vaccines will be made available free of charge to citizens and residents of Qatar.

This was announced at the launch of the seasonal influenza campaign under the banner ‘Fight the Flu,’ a joint initiative between Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).

The flu vaccines will be available at all the PHCC Health Centers, Hamad Medical Corporation, Private Clinics (selected clinics), hospitals and semi-government health care facilities according to the Ministry.

Dr. Khalid Hamid Elawad, manager, Health Protection, Preventive Health Directorate at PHCC said that those who wish to get the flu shot can do so at multiple locations including their primary health care center or a designated private or semi-private clinic, said

“Getting a flu shot this year is more important than ever because of Covid-19. The flu vaccine may not protect you against Covid-19, but it will reduce your risk of developing the flu and flu-related complications, and reduce the possibility of getting infected with both the flu and Covid-19 viruses at the same time. It also helps not to get confused with Covid-19 symptoms,” said Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at HMC.

The concerns are that “the same people who are most vulnerable to severe symptoms from COVID-19, such as those aged over 50 and those with chronic conditions regardless of their age are also at greatest risk from the flu and its complications,” he said, adding that “We also urge children aged between six months and five years of age and pregnant women to be vaccinated against the seasonal flu.”


“We encourage people to come early to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu – it takes around two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu,” he added.

Source: MoPH  

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October 22, 2020 Comments (0)

MOEHE announces mid-term exams for grades 1-11 to start on October 18th at schools

MOEHE  announces mid-term exams for grades 1-11 to start on October 18th at schools

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), in light of the precautionary measures taken due to the exceptional COVID-19 circumstances has decided that the semester 1 mid-term exams for the 2020/21 academic year would be conducted at schools as of Sunday, October 18th 2020.

Students will physically attend their schools as per their exam schedules released for grades 1 to 11. The maximum number of students allowed to attend the exams is 15 students in the classrooms and 60 students at gym halls.

Marks for grades 1, 2 and 3 will be awarded on the basis of (5 marks) for continuous assessment tools and (15 marks) for the exams. This will be based on the specifications table and assessment tools released by the relevant departments of the Educational Affairs Sector.

For grades 4 through 11, exams of the subjects that feature oral, practice and listening assessments will be conducted in the written format only, and the full (15) marks will be awarded accordingly.

The mid-term exams of the Visual Arts subject in all grades will be postponed to the end of semester 1.

Additionally, no exams will be held for Physical Education and Life and Research Skills subjects in all grades. Both subjects will not be considered in the students’ total score.

MOEHE has identified a set of precautionary measures to be followed for ensuring the safety of students during the exam period. Other relevant decisions have also been taken regarding the assessment of exams.

Source: MOEHE

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October 13, 2020 Comments (0)
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