Qatar reimposes further restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19

As Qatar intensifies its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is set to implement a series of additional measures to curb the spread of the virus.

The Cabinet took this decision today in its regular meeting; chaired by His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani.

The Cabinet listened to HE the Minister of Public Health’s explanation on the latest developments pertaining to COVID-19 in Qatar and also reviewed a report by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding reintroducing certain limitations in light of the pandemic.

To protect the health and safety of all members of society, the Cabinet made the following decisions, which will go into effect from this Friday:

First:

1. Continuing with the Cabinet decision, which requires that, depending on the need for work, no more than 80 percent of the total number of employees in the government sector working at their workplace, while the remaining number of employees work remotely from their homes or upon request, depending on the circumstances.
2. Continuing the Cabinet decision, which requires that, depending on the need for work, no more than 80 percent of the total number of employees in the private sector working at their workplace, while the remaining number of them work remotely from their homes.
3. For employees and workers in the government and private sectors to allow meetings to be held with the attendance of no more than 5 persons, and to adhere to procedures and precautionary measures.
4. All citizens and residents to continue wearing masks when leaving the house for any reason , unless the person is alone while driving the vehicle.
5. All citizens and residents continue to activate EHTERAZ application on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
6. Continuing the opening of Mosques for daily prayers and Friday prayers, while toilets and ablution facilities remain closed.
7. Prevent social gatherings and visits in closed places like homes and councils and no more than 5 people in open places.
8. Presence of family members residing in the same house only in winter camps.
9. Not to hold weddings in closed and open spaces until further notice.
10. Closure of playgrounds and exercise equipment in public parks, beaches and the corniche, with gatherings being restricted to family members residing in the same house or two people maximum.
11. 
    Continue with the decision of no more than four people allowed in a vehicle, including the driver of the vehicle, with the exception of families when leaving and moving in vehicles.
12. Continuation of what was decided to reduce the number of people who are transported by buses to half the bus capacity, while taking precautions and precautionary measures.
13. Continuing to operate metro services and public transport with a capacity not exceeding 30 percent and to reduce the capacity on these services to 20 percent on Fridays and Saturdays taking into account closure of places designated for smoking and not allowing food and drink to be consumed in other ways.
14. Driving schools closed until further notice.
15. Continuing the work of cinemas and theaters with a capacity not exceeding 20 percent and not allowing entry to persons under 18 years old and not organize theatrical performances except after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health.
16. Allowing private educational centers and training centers to provide services online only.
17. Continuing the work of nurseries and childcare facilities with a capacity not exceeding 30 percent.
18. Reducing the capacity of public museums and libraries to 30 percent.
19. Continuing to allow individual educational sessions to be held in centers designated for people with special needs.
20. Not to allow the training of sports teams, whether in closed or open spaces, with the exception of preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved for teams within the bubble system.
21. Obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to organize local and international sporting events.
22. Obtaining prior approval from MoPH to hold exhibitions, conferences and various events.
23. Reducing the capacity of commercial complexes to 30 percent and children under 12 years old are not allowed to enter. Closing all prayer areas in these complexes, with the closure of all food courts inside the commercial complexes and allowing these restaurants to make external orders or deliver them inside the restaurant only.
24. Continuing to allow restaurants and cafes to serve food and drinks as per the following rules:

A- Capacity not exceeding 15 percent for all indoor restaurants and cafes.

B- A capacity that does not exceed 50 percent for restaurants and cafes that have a "Clean Qatar" program certificate and capacity that does not exceed 30 percent for the rest of the restaurants and cafes in open spaces.

25. The continued suspension of rental services of boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats, with the exception of rental services for family members residing in the same house, and owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated in the event that they are used only by family members residing in the same house.
26. Reducing the capacity of traditional markets to 30 percent and not allowing children under 12 years old to enter.
27. Continuing the functioning of wholesale markets with a capacity not exceeding 30 percent and children under 12 years are not allowed to enter.
28. Continuing the work of beauty and hair salons with a capacity not exceeding 30 percent.
29. Closure of amusement parks and all entertainment centers until further notice.
30. Closing gyms and physical training clubs, stopping massage services, saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths until further notice, with the exception of using gyms in hotels for guests.
31. Close all swimming pools and water parks until further notice.
32. Reducing the capacity of private health care facilities to 70 percent.
33. Reducing the operational capacity of the services provided by cleaning and hospitality companies during the working hours of the establishments contracted with them to 30 percent, and allowing the provision of their services with a full capacity outside the working hours of those facilities, and allowing the provision of their services at home by one person only.

Second:

• In this regard, adherence to health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by MoPH.

Third:

• The Ministry of Interior, MoPH, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other government agencies, each in its own jurisdiction, will take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with health requirements, procedures, and prescribed precautionary measures.

Fourth:

These decisions will take effect from Friday, March 26, 2021, until further notice.

---

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

YouTube - qatarlivingofficial

Source: The Peninsula