COVID-19 restrictions

Three phase plan to re-impose certain restrictions | Mandatory quarantine to all travellers returning to the State of Qatar | The Supreme Committee

Three phase plan to re-impose certain restrictions | Mandatory quarantine to all travellers returning to the State of Qatar | The Supreme Committee

Statement by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding developments on containing COVID-19 in the State of Qatar

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world and in the State of Qatar has made it essential to enforce a number of measures on various levels to ensure the safety of citizens and residents and limit the spread of the virus. With our robust health system, the effectiveness of measures that have been taken, the cooperation of citizens and residents and their commitment to following the precautionary measures, the State of Qatar was able to move past the peak of the Coronavirus and flatten the curve, while maintaining one of the lowest Coronavirus death rates in the world.

After getting past the virus’ peak, it became necessary to reach the required balance between preserving public health and returning to normal life. This process has been successful through implementing the four-phase plan of gradually lifting Coronavirus restrictions.

Here, the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management would like to affirm the continuation of Phase Four, including the capacities that were recently announced, with relevant state authorities reviewing the indicators periodically. While the public health indicators show that the spread of the virus has been contained in the State of Qatar, this does not mean the pandemic has been reversed or that it has disappeared.

Therefore, the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management has approved a three-phase plan to re-impose certain restrictions if the Ministry of Public Health recommends so, based on its continuous monitoring of health indicators. In this context, we note that the main contributing factor for limiting the spread of the virus is people’s awareness and their commitment to following precautionary measures, especially relating to gatherings and social events, as it has recently become evident that socialising without proper caution is the main source of spreading COVID-19 in the country.

It should be noted here that several countries around the world have already entered the second wave of the Coronavirus, and this could occur here as well if people do not take precautionary measures seriously.

Additionally, and as the spread rate of the pandemic around the world is on the rise, it is necessary to apply mandatory quarantine to all travellers returning to the State of Qatar until further notice, with the Ministry of Public Health continuing to update the list of low-risk countries.

The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management calls on all citizens and residents to commit to following the precautionary measures, including wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance and washing hands.

(Source: gco.gov.qa)

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Phase 4 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions split into 2 phases | 1st phase to start from September 1

Phase 4 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions split into 2 phases |  1st phase of Phase 4 to start from September 1

The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management thanks both citizens and residents for their commitment to adhering to the precautionary measures to combat Coronavirus (COVID-19), which has contributed to limiting the spread of the virus. As the State of Qatar moves on to phase four, it is important for the community to continue to follow procedures to ensure that efforts are successful and the nation can fully reopen.

Based on Qatar’s public health indicators and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rate in the community, it has been decided to split phase four into two phases.

The first phase will commence on 1 September, and the situation will be assessed on an ongoing basis, including the re-imposing and/or lifting of some restrictions based on developments mid-September. The second phase will commence at the beginning of the third week of September. The first phase will include the following:

  • Reopening of all mosques in the country to perform daily and Friday prayers, provided that precautionary measures are followed. Toilets and ablution facilities remain closed.
  • Continuing to follow the Council of Ministers’ decision, which limits the capacity in workplaces to a maximum of 80% of employees in both public and private sectors.
  • Allowing gatherings of a maximum of 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.
  • Allowing weddings with a maximum of 40 people indoors and 80 people outdoors, provided that precautionary measures are followed, including activating the Ehteraz application, maintaining a distance of two meters between tables with a maximum of 5 people per table, and avoiding handshakes and kisses while greeting. Individuals holding parties at home as well as managers of wedding venues are required to keep records of the contact information of all invitees.
  • Opening of cinemas and theaters with a capacity of 15%, provided that precautionary measures are followed and that only people who are 18 years and above are allowed entry.
  • Playgrounds and leisure centres remain closed.
  • Allowing local exhibitions with a capacity of 30%, according to the procedures which will be announced by the National Tourism Council.
  • Resuming metro and public transport services with a capacity of 30% according to the procedures which will be announced by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
  • Continuing to allow personal boats and yacht rentals with a capacity of 30%, including boat workers.
  • Continuing to follow Qatar’s travel policy. The Ministry of Public Health will continue to update the list of low-risk countries periodically.
  • Continuing the operation of driving schools with a capacity of 50%.
  • Continuing the suspension of summer camps as well as the use of sports equipment in public parks.
  • Allowing audiences to attend sporting events with a capacity of 20% indoors and 30% outdoors, according to procedures which will be announced by the relevant authorities.
  • Allowing private health clinics to resume work in full capacity.
  • Continuing normal working hours at malls while keeping capacity to 50%, and opening food courts in malls with a capacity of 30%. Allowing children to enter malls.
  • Allowing the increase in restaurants capacity starting with 30%, according to the procedures which will be set by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Allowing souks to operate with a 75% capacity and raising the capacity at wholesale markets to 50%.
  • Allowing museums and public libraries to operate in full capacity and normal hours provided that all precautionary measures are followed.
  • Continuing the work of health clubs, gyms and public swimming pools at half capacity (50%) and allowing massage and sauna services at a capacity of 30% in approved facilities, as well as opening indoor swimming pools at a capacity of 30%.
  • Continuing the suspension of home beauty, barber, massage and fitness training services.
  • Continuing the work of private education and training centers at a capacity of 50%.
  • Resuming cleaning and hospitality services in workplaces at a capacity of 30% as well as allowing the resumption of these services at homes.

The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management emphasises that the evaluation of lifting further measures depends on the cooperation of all and the commitment to following precautionary measures, including wearing masks while outside, washing hands, maintain a safe distance, and activating the Ehteraz application.

(Source: gco.gov.qa)

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August 28, 2020 Comments (0)

Hamad International Airport implements newly modified procedures to enter Qatar based on the categorization of arriving passengers

Hamad International Airport (HIA) implements newly modified procedures to enter Qatar based on the categorization of arriving passengers

Hamad International Airport (HIA) implements newly modified procedures to enter Qatar based on the categorization of arriving passengers, following the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions across Qatar. HIA has customised its procedures based on the categorization of arriving passengers, hence ensuring a smooth return to the country. Following has been announced on HIA Website:

  • Group One: Qatari citizens, their spouses and children, permanent residency holders.
  • Group Two: includes vulnerable passengers that have certain identified medical conditions or are aged 55 and above.
  • Group Three: passengers arriving from ‘low-risk countries’
  • Group Four: passengers arriving from ‘high-risk countries’

Please visit the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) website to see the latest list of countries classified as high and low-risk of COVID-19.

EHTERAZ Mobile App & Thermal Screening

All arriving passengers will be thermally screened at the airport. Passengers must have the EHTERAZ mobile application downloaded and installed on a smartphone which requires a SIM card. Volunteers are available to help set up passengers with the EHTERAZ App. Smartphones and SIM cards are also available for purchase at the airport.

Health Assessment Form & Quarantine Pledge Agreement

All passengers must also fill out a health assessment form and sign a quarantine pledge agreement, preferably filled prior to arrival into Doha and submitted upon arrival.

Quarantine Hotel | High Risk Countries

Passengers arriving from ‘high-risk countries’ will proceed to immigration whilst presenting their hotel booking to the immigration officer. Once all arrival formalities have been completed, passengers will be transported to their quarantine hotel with Discover Qatar.

Swab Testing | Home Quarantine

All other arriving passengers will be diverted to designated airport testing facilities where they will receive swab tests. Once testing is complete, passengers will then proceed to immigration for entry processing. Those passengers can use private transportation to their home quarantine. The airport’s taxi pavilion is also available.

Other COVID-19 Safety Procedures

HIA has planned and executed comprehensive COVID-19 safety procedures, keeping every passenger journey in mind whether they are arriving, departing, or transferring through the five-star airport.

To ensure the health and wellbeing of its staff and passengers, HIA introduced a series of unprecedented measures including the implementation of robotics and advanced thermal screening helmets.

The five-star airport is keen on the safety of its passengers and employees and are continuously cleaning and disinfecting all high contact areas every 10-15 minutes. Hand sanitisers are also readily available for passengers at key locations across the airport. The airport maintains 1.5m social distancing across all passenger touchpoints around the airport, through floor markings, signage, and distance seating.

Source: dohahamadairport.com | Image Credit: @HIAQatar

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August 14, 2020 Comments (0)

Phase 3 of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions begins today (July 28th 2020) in Qatar

Phase 3 of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions begins today (July 28th 2020) in Qatar

Phase 3 of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions begins today (July 28th 2020) in Qatar. New guidelines, procedures and precautionary measures has been issues for the third phase including procedures to barbershops, gyms, some restaurants to reopen in Qatar.

Based on #Qatar’s public health indicators, including the steady decrease in the number of daily active cases, the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management announced that the third phase of the gradual reopening will begin on 28 July, rather than 1 August. (https://www.gco.gov.qa/en/top-news/statement-by-the-supreme-committee-for-crisis-management-on-phase-three-of-the-gradual-lifting-of-coronavirus-restrictions/)

Gatherings:

  • Medium-Scale gatherings of 10 people indoors and 30 people outdoors
  • Opening of selected mosques for Friday and Eid prayers

Business and Leisure:

  • 80% of employees allowed in the workplace with strict health precautions (with employees to begin work immediately after the Eid holiday)
  • Opening of all malls with fill hours, maintaining its 50% capacity
  • Opening of Souks between 30-75% capacity and wholesale markets at 30% capacity
  • Continuing the opening of restaurants, including restaurants and coffee shops in malls (except for shared food courts)
  • Opening of health clubs and gyms at 50% capacity with Jacuzzis, saunas and indoor pools still closed
  • Opening of beauty parlors and hairdressers at 30% capacity

Transport:

  • Priority passengers such as residence permit holders, will be allowed to return as of 1 August, with required quarantine precautions in place
  • Opening od driving schools at 50% capacity

Outdoor and Professional Sports:

  • Amateur and non-amateur sports, trainings, and competitions with no spectators and up to 40 people

Education and Health:

  • 80% capacity at selected private healthcare facilities
  • Opening of nurseries and childcare facilities at 50% capacity

(Source: https://twitter.com/GCOQatar/status/1287471372231417856)

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July 28, 2020 Comments (0)

Qatar’s plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions in four phases beginning June 15, 2020

Qatar’s plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions in four phases beginning June 15, 2020

In a press conference held on the 8th of June 2020, Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, Official Spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, announced Qatar’s plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions in four phases beginning June 15, 2020 (Phase 1) and Phase 4 by 1st of September.

The gradual lifting of lock-down restrictions:

  • Qatar is one of the countries with the lowest number of COVID-19 deaths.
  • Gradual lifting of restrictions will be carried out in the State of Qatar through 4 phases with all the necessary precautionary measures.
  • Stringent assessment will be carried out during each Phase. Moving from one phase to other phase will be based on the indications measured during the assessment.
  • Possible to re-impose restrictions or delay of moving to next phase in the event of non-compliance and if assessment indicators are negative

Four Phases of Gradual lifting of restrictions are as follows:

  • Phase 1 – June 15
  • Phase 2- July 1
  • Phase 3 – August 1
  • Phase 4 – September 1

 

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Download Ehteraz App:

EHTERAZ App on Google Play (For Android Users) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moi.covid19&hl=en
EHTERAZ App on Apple App Store (For iOS users) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ehteraz/id1507150431
June 13, 2020 Comments (0)
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