*Private clinics can provide services within 60% of their capacity, while continuing to provide emergency care
*Precautionary measures taken to combat Covid-19 to be continued
Up to 50% of the staff belonging to the government and private sectors can work from their offices from July 1, the Cabinet decided on Wednesday as part of the steps taken to gradually lift the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
The rest of the employees will continue their work remotely from their homes, "or when requested, as appropriate" the Qatar News Agency reports.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired on Wednesday the regular Cabinet meeting through video conference.
Following the meeting, HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr Issa bin Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi stated the following:
At the beginning of the meeting, the Cabinet heard a presentation by HE the Minister of Public Health on the latest developments to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19). The Cabinet affirmed to continue the application of the precautionary measures and procedures taken in order to combat the pandemic. Within the framework of the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the virus, the Cabinet decided the following:
1- It decided to amend its decision regarding reducing the number of employees present in the workplace of government entities, allowing - as needed - no more than 50% of the total number of employees to work at the workplace, while the rest of the employees continue their work remotely from their homes, or when requested, as appropriate.
2- It decided to amend its decision to reduce the number of workers present in the workplace in the private sector, so that no more than 50% of the total number of workers work in offices, and the rest work remotely from their homes.
3- It decided to amend its decision regarding the suspension of medical services in health facilities, allowing these services to be provided within 60% of the capacity of private health care facilities, while continuing to provide emergency services.
4- In implementing the said decision, the following must be taken into account:
A -Continued implementation of the previous exceptions decided by the Cabinet in this regard.
B- Adherence to health requirements, precautionary measures and procedures and controls determined by the Ministry of Public Health.
5- The competent authorities - each in its jurisdiction - shall take the necessary measures in this regard.
6- This decision is effective as of Wednesday, July 1, 2020 until further notice.
The Cabinet considered the other topics on the agenda as follows:
First - It took the necessary measures to issue the following draft laws, having reviewed the recommendations of the Shura Council:
1- A draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 1 of 1986 on the registration of pharmaceutical companies and their products.
2- A draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 12 of 2006 regarding the cancelled Municipality of Mesaieed.
Second - It approved the draft Cabinet decision to form the National Counter Terrorism Committee and define its work and remunerations.
The preparation of the draft resolution comes within the framework of updating legislation and replaces Cabinet Decision No. 7 of 2007 on the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Committee.
The draft stipulated that the National Counter Terrorism Committee shall be formed of two representatives from Ministry of Interior, one of whom shall be the chairman of the committee, in addition to a representative from each of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Public Prosecution, the State Security Service, and Qatar Central Bank. The committee shall assume the powers prescribed for it in accordance with the provisions of the Counter-Terrorism Law promulgated by Law No. 27 of 2019.
Third - It approved the Cabinet's draft decision to amend some provisions of Decision No. 35 of 2014 on the establishment of a committee for organising heavy transport by adding a representative from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment to the membership of the committee.
Fourth - The Cabinet gave approval to:
A - A draft protocol amending the air transport agreement between the governments of Qatar and the United States of America.
B - A draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of central banking between the Qatar Central Bank and the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Fifth - The Cabinet reviewed the results of the second extraordinary meeting of the trade cooperation committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, which was held on April 16 via video conference and took the appropriate decision regarding it.
