Ministry of Public Health

Travellers returning to Qatar from countries that are not on its green list will have to undergo hotel quarantine

Travellers returning to Qatar from countries that are not on its green list will have to undergo hotel quarantine | MoPH

All travellers flying back to Qatar from countries that are not on its green list will have to undergo hotel quarantin effective from 14 February, tweeted The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

The Ministry said that, “Based on previously announced travel and return policies to Qatar and in light of the new medical data on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in the State of Qatar and the rest of the world, it has been decided that no exceptions from the hotel quarantine, previously announced, will apply to those coming to the country,”.

Low Risk (Green List) Countries:  Below are the list of 17 countries updated by MoPH as low-risk countries. Latest list has been released on 14 December 2020.

  1. Oman
  2. Brunei Darussalam
  3. Thailand
  4. China (including Hong Kong, Macau)
  5. Vietnam
  6. Malaysia
  7. South Korea
  8. Singapore
  9. Japan
  10. Myanmar
  11. Australia
  12. New Zealand
  13. Mexico
  14. Cuba
  15. Mauritius
  16. Iceland
  17. Ireland

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February 12, 2021 Comments (0)

Important advice from MoPH official if you are taking the COVID-19 vaccine

Important advice from MoPH official if you are taking the COVID-19 vaccine

Dr. Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vaccination at the Ministry of Public Health posted a video on MoPH twitter handle in which she has given two important advice to all who are taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

 


Following are the important tips and advice shared on the video posted:

  1. If you had come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, the date for taking the second dose should be delayed for 14 days from the date of contact.
  2. You will be fully protected from COVID-19 infection after a week or two from taking the second dose of the vaccine.

Source Credit and Cover image Credit: MoPH

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January 25, 2021 Comments (0)

Registration for COVID-19 Vaccine in Qatar | How to register your interest to take the vaccine

Registration for COVID-19 Vaccine in Qatar | How to register your interest to take the vaccine

MoPH has recently launched a new online registration process for the covid-19 vaccine. Qatar plans to provide the Covid-19 vaccine free of charge to all Qatar citizens and residents.

The MOPH has approved Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, as safe and effective. Online registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is open to Citizens and Residents who are interested to take the vaccine. This online registration service launched by the Ministry of Public Health for people to register their interest in receiving COVID-19 Vaccine.

  • People who falls under the priority groups are allowed to request an appointment to take the vaccine.
  • People who does not fall under the current priority group categories are also allowed to register. Upon registration, their details will recorded and saved by MoPH and they will receive a notification once they are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine.

Where to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar?

Here is the registration link for citizens and residents https://app-covid19.moph.gov.qa/en/instructions.html to request an appointment to take the vaccine / to register their interest to receive the covid-19 vaccine in Qatar.

Steps to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar:

Step 1: Sign-in

  • Click on the above registration link to proceed to sign in page
  • Login in using your National Authentication System (NAS) TAWTHEEQ username and password
Screengrab from National Authentication System (TAWTHEEQ)

Screengrab from National Authentication System (TAWTHEEQ) Authentication

Step 2: Fill up the information page

Once you login you will be asked to submit the below details.

  • Occupation (Choose from drop-down)
  • Employer Name
  • Health Card (HC) Number

Step 3: Answer the following questions

Upon successful submission of the above information you will be asked to answer

  • If you have had any severe allergic reactions
  • If you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding
  • If you’re currently in isolation because you tested positive for COVID-19
  • If you have received plasma treatment for COVID-19 within the last 90 days

“there are certain situations in which precaution should be taken before taking the vaccine. In these cases, you should discuss with your healthcare provider to understand if and when you should take the vaccine.” – The Ministry of Public Health

Step 4: Choose if you belong to the Priority Groups

Certain population groups should receive the vaccine first because they are at higher risk. The three priority population groups are: older people, people with certain chronic conditions and key healthcare workers.

First Priority Group:

  • All adults age 60 years and older
  • Older adults at long-term care facilities/home care
  • People with severe or multiple chronic conditions that put them at highest risk; priority for those 50 years old
  • and above
  • Healthcare workers who work at COVID-19 facilities and isolation facilities
  • Healthcare workers providing care for patients at ICU/long-term care facilities/home care
  • Essential first responders/workers (EMS Emergency Medical Service, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense,
  • Oil& Gas Sector)
  • Teachers and Healthcare workers at high risk due to age or chronic conditions
  • Public Health Teams involved with contact tracing

Second Priority Group:

  • All adults 50-59 years old
  • Adults of any age who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk of having severe disease
  • Any healthcare workers and essential workers
  • Teachers

You will be allowed to choose your preferred health center, date, and time to take the COVID-19 vaccination if you fall under the First and Second priority group. You’ll also get a Request Number after the registration process. The health center for COVID-19 vaccination is not guaranteed unless you have received confirmation in your email.

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January 19, 2021 Comments (0)

People aged 65 years of age and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar: MoPH

People aged 65 years of age and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar: MoPH

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced that it has reduced the age limit to 65 years and above to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the State of Qatar.

Before the recent announcement of 65 years age limit by MoPH, age limit was at 70 years and above for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.

The first phase of vaccination begun on December 23, 2020 and scheduled to run until January 31, 2021. MoPH says, the priority groups currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccination are

1. People aged 65 years of age and above
2. People with severe chronic conditions
3. Healthcare workers with repeated exposure to COVID-19

MoPH stated that,

  • People who are eligible to receive the vaccine will be contacted directly by Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) by SMS or phone call to fix an appointment for vaccine
  • People who are 65 years and above, who haven’t yet contacted by PHCC either by SMS or a phone call can call PHCC hotline 40277077 to fix an appointment for vaccination.
  • People who have fixed appointments are only eligible for a vaccination at Primary Health Centers
  • All the other community members who do not meet the criteria to be eligible for COVID vaccine are requested to wait until it is their turn.

MoPH also stated that, it is working with the pharma companies to bring the next shipment of vaccines as early as possible in 2021 and everyone who needs to be vaccinated will be able to do so throughout the year.

Know about Priority Groups, How do vaccines work, FAQs and Trusted Information Source | Microsite by MoPH

Cover Image: Just for illustrative purposes only and not the actual

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January 4, 2021 Comments (0)

COVID-19 vaccine dedicated microsite | Know about Priority Groups, How do vaccines work, FAQs and Trusted Information Source

COVID-19 vaccine dedicated microsite | Know about Priority Groups, How do vaccines work, FAQs and Trusted Information Source | MoPH

According to MOPH officials, The first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination in Qatar will begin from December 23, 2020 to January 31, 2021.

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) recently launched a COVID-19 vaccine dedicated microsite to help citizens and residents to know the latest news and developments about the COVID-19 vaccine in the State of Qatar.

The newly launched microsite provides information about the Priority Groups for vaccination in Qatar, How do vaccines work?, FAQ’s about COVID-19 vaccine and also lists Trusted Information Source in Qatar about the COVID-19 vaccine.

MoPH stated that, Qatar’s vaccination strategy will enable everyone to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021, but for now, with a limited quantity of vaccines, we must prioritize people most at risk from severe complications and death from the virus.

The first phase of vaccination is from December 23, 2020, to January 31, 2021, and the priority will be given to People over 70 years of age have a higher risk of severe illness and death, People with certain long-term chronic medical conditions and Healthcare workers working directly with COVID-19 patients in the state of Qatar.

Selected patients will be contacted via phone call or SMS and they will be getting the invitation to attend an appointment at one of the 7 designated health centers in Qatar. The primary health centers are:

  1. Al Wajba Health Center
  2. Leabaib Health Center
  3. Al Ruwais Health Center
  4. Umm Slal Health Center
  5. Rawdat Al Khail Health Center
  6. Al Thumama Health Center
  7. Muaither Health Center

MoPH Microsite: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Covid19-Vaccine/Pages/default.aspx

Source and Cover Image: MoPH

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December 23, 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)

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)

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)

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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October 1, 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)
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