*Children allowed in mosques
*Events' capacity raised to 50%
*Almost all restrictions of Phase 3 to continue
*New modifications take effect from Thursday
The Cabinet Wednesday modified certain clauses of the ongoing Phase 3 of gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. The changes, which come into effect on Friday until further notice include allowing children to enter mosques. Children under seven were not allowed until now as part of the restrictions.
There are minor relaxations for gatherings in outdoor areas of homes or majlises and parks. HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting held at its seat at the Amiri Diwan.
At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet was briefed by HE the Minister of Public Health on the latest developments in efforts to curb Covid-19. After reviewing the report of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and in the interest of the health and safety of all members of society, the cabinet decided the following:
First:
1- Continuing to allow, according to the need of work, a maximum of 80% of the total number of employees in the government sector in each business entity to work from the office, with the rest working remotely or upon request depending on the circumstances. The exception are to the military, security and health sectors.
2- Continuing to allow, according to the need of work, a maximum of 80% of the total number of employees in the private sector in each business entity to work from the office, with the rest working remotely or upon request depending on the circumstances. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co-ordination with the authorities concerned, will determine the necessary activities excluded from this decision.
3- Continuing to allow meetings for employees and workers in the government and private sectors present at their workplace with the attendance of no more than 15 people. Others can only attend the meeting remotely using modern technological means.
4- Continuing to require all employees in the public and private sector to carry out a rapid antigen test that is accredited by the Ministry of Public Health on a weekly basis. This applies to employees who did not receive or complete both doses of their Covid-19 vaccines. Those who took both doses or recovered from the disease are exempt from taking the rapid antigen test.
5- All citizens and residents must continue to wear masks when leaving the house for any reason, unless the person is alone while driving or with his family in the vehicle.
6- All citizens and residents must continue to activate their Ehteraz app on their smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
7- Mosques shall continue opening for daily and Friday prayers, and children are allowed to enter. Toilets and ablution facilities must remain closed. The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs will determine the other precautionary measures.
8- Continue to allow presence in homes and Majlises according to the following:
A- Allowing a maximum of 15 people who have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine or a maximum of five people if all or any of them did not complete or did not receive doses of Covid-19 vaccine in closed places in homes and majlises.
B- Allowing a maximum of 35 people who have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine or a maximum of 10 people who have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine with those who have not completed or did not receive doses of Covid-19 vaccine in outdoor areas of homes or majlises.
9- Continuing to allow wedding parties to be held in wedding halls in hotels and independent wedding halls only, provided that the number of attendees does not exceed 80, while allowing the presence of 10 people in attendance who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
10- Continuing to allow gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches and the corniche for a maximum of 20 people or family members residing in the same house. Individual sports such as walking, running and cycling are allowed; allowing the opening of playgrounds and exercise equipment in those places, and continuing to allow the opening of private beaches at a maximum capacity of 50%.
11- No car is allowed to have more than four passengers including the driver, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
12- Buses must continue to operate at half their capacity, while taking the precautionary measures.
13- Continuing the operation of metro services and public transport services at a maximum capacity of 50% throughout the week, while closing the smoking areas and banning eating and drinking inside these services.
14- Driving schools shall continue to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%. All workers in the schools must have completed their Covid-19 vaccination.
15- Continuing to allow the opening of theaters and cinemas and the provision of their services not exceeding 30% of the capacity, provided that 75% of the customers have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine, allowing children to enter and counting them among the 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
16- Educational centres and private training centres can continue to provide their services at a maximum capacity of 50%, and all the instructors working at these centers have taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
17- Nurseries to remain open and providing their services at a maximum capacity of 50%, provided all workers take both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
18- Museums and public libraries to continue operating at a maximum capacity of 75%.
19- Centres for people with special needs to continue operations provided a maximum of five people are present per session, and that all workers have taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
20- Continuation of professional sports training both indoors and outdoors, permitting preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the MoPH, and allowing the training of amateurs with a maximum of 35 people outdoors who have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and a maximum of 15 people indoors, provided they also take the two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with no public attendance.
21- Continuing to allow the hosting of local and international sporting events after obtaining the approval of the MoPH, with the presence of fans not surpassing the 50% capacity of the open-air venue, provided that among that 75% have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and obligating those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to conduct a rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 approved by the MoPH within 24 hours before the event, while allowing the presence of no more than 30% of the capacity of the public in closed places, provided that they have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
22- Continuing to allow the organisation of conferences, exhibitions and events with a capacity not exceeding 50%, after obtaining the approval of the MoPH.
23- Continuing to allow malls to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%, with children allowed in. Allowing the opening of food courts with a maximum capacity of 30%, as well as all prayers areas and changing rooms.
24- Continuing to allow restaurants and cafes to provide food and beverage on the following conditions:
A- A maximum capacity of 50% for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate, and a maximum capacity of 30% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the MoCI in open air areas.
B- A maximum capacity of 50% for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate, and a capacity that does not exceed 20% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the MoCI indoors, provided that all customers must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, children are allowed in only with their families.
25- Continuing to allow the rental of boats and tourist yachts, provided that all workers in those boats and yachts have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and that the number of passengers on those boats and yachts does not exceed 50% of its capacity and a maximum of 25 people who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, while allowing the presence of three within the mentioned number who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The owners of personal boats and yachts, if used, are obligated to adhere to the percentage, number and controls mentioned.
26- Continuing the operation of Souqs throughout the week, with a maximum capacity of 50%. Children are allowed in.
27- Continuing the operation of wholesale markets with a maximum capacity of 50%. Children are allowed in.
28- Continuing to allow beauty salons and barbershops to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%, provided that all workers in these facilities and clients have completed taking both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Only one child at a time is allowed to be present inside these establishments.
29- Continuing to allow amusement parks and all entertainment centers to be opened according to the following conditions:
A- At a maximum capacity of 50% for open air amusement parks and entertainment centres.
B- At a maximum capacity of 30% for indoor amusement parks and entertainment centres, provided that 75% of the customers must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Children are allowed in and must be counted among the 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
30- Continuing to allow health clubs, gyms, massage services, sauna and steam rooms, jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths at a maximum capacity of 50%, provided that all workers in these facilities and customers have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
31- Continuing to allow the opening of swimming pools and water parks according to the following:
A- At a maximum capacity of 50% for outdoor pools and waterparks.
B- At a capacity not exceeding 30% for indoor pools and waterparks. Only customers who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are allowed to enter. Out of the 30%, as much as 75% of the customers must have completed doses of the Covid-19, with children allowed in and counted among the remaining 25% that did not receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
32- Continuing to allow medical services to be provided in private health care facilities with the full capacity of these facilities, provided that all workers in those facilities have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
33- Continuing to allow cleaning and hospitality companies to provide their services through their employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, whether in one or more houses, and allowing cleaning and hospitality services to be provided to the facilities contracting with it during working hours with full capacity through its employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Second: Compliance with the health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by the MoPH shall be taken into consideration.
Third: The Ministry of Interior, the MoPH, the MoCI, and other government agencies - each within its jurisdiction - shall take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with the health requirements and prescribed precautionary measures.
The Cabinet also took the necessary measures to ratify the following agreements: Between Qatar and Vietnam on the encouragement of mutual protection of investments, Qatar and Congo regarding the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance, Qatar and Equatorial Guinea on mutual exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, and Qatar and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the establishment of United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in Doha.
Yesterday's Cabinet meeting also took the necessary measures to ratify amending the Arab Charter on Human Rights and approval of Qatar Tourism's participation in a number of exhibitions to be held during 2021.
There are minor relaxations for gatherings in outdoor areas of homes or majlises and parks. HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting held at its seat at the Amiri Diwan.
At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet was briefed by HE the Minister of Public Health on the latest developments in efforts to curb Covid-19. After reviewing the report of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and in the interest of the health and safety of all members of society, the cabinet decided the following:
First:
1- Continuing to allow, according to the need of work, a maximum of 80% of the total number of employees in the government sector in each business entity to work from the office, with the rest working remotely or upon request depending on the circumstances. The exception are to the military, security and health sectors.
2- Continuing to allow, according to the need of work, a maximum of 80% of the total number of employees in the private sector in each business entity to work from the office, with the rest working remotely or upon request depending on the circumstances. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co-ordination with the authorities concerned, will determine the necessary activities excluded from this decision.
3- Continuing to allow meetings for employees and workers in the government and private sectors present at their workplace with the attendance of no more than 15 people. Others can only attend the meeting remotely using modern technological means.
4- Continuing to require all employees in the public and private sector to carry out a rapid antigen test that is accredited by the Ministry of Public Health on a weekly basis. This applies to employees who did not receive or complete both doses of their Covid-19 vaccines. Those who took both doses or recovered from the disease are exempt from taking the rapid antigen test.
5- All citizens and residents must continue to wear masks when leaving the house for any reason, unless the person is alone while driving or with his family in the vehicle.
6- All citizens and residents must continue to activate their Ehteraz app on their smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
7- Mosques shall continue opening for daily and Friday prayers, and children are allowed to enter. Toilets and ablution facilities must remain closed. The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs will determine the other precautionary measures.
8- Continue to allow presence in homes and Majlises according to the following:
A- Allowing a maximum of 15 people who have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine or a maximum of five people if all or any of them did not complete or did not receive doses of Covid-19 vaccine in closed places in homes and majlises.
B- Allowing a maximum of 35 people who have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine or a maximum of 10 people who have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine with those who have not completed or did not receive doses of Covid-19 vaccine in outdoor areas of homes or majlises.
9- Continuing to allow wedding parties to be held in wedding halls in hotels and independent wedding halls only, provided that the number of attendees does not exceed 80, while allowing the presence of 10 people in attendance who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
10- Continuing to allow gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches and the corniche for a maximum of 20 people or family members residing in the same house. Individual sports such as walking, running and cycling are allowed; allowing the opening of playgrounds and exercise equipment in those places, and continuing to allow the opening of private beaches at a maximum capacity of 50%.
11- No car is allowed to have more than four passengers including the driver, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
12- Buses must continue to operate at half their capacity, while taking the precautionary measures.
13- Continuing the operation of metro services and public transport services at a maximum capacity of 50% throughout the week, while closing the smoking areas and banning eating and drinking inside these services.
14- Driving schools shall continue to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%. All workers in the schools must have completed their Covid-19 vaccination.
15- Continuing to allow the opening of theaters and cinemas and the provision of their services not exceeding 30% of the capacity, provided that 75% of the customers have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine, allowing children to enter and counting them among the 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
16- Educational centres and private training centres can continue to provide their services at a maximum capacity of 50%, and all the instructors working at these centers have taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
17- Nurseries to remain open and providing their services at a maximum capacity of 50%, provided all workers take both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
18- Museums and public libraries to continue operating at a maximum capacity of 75%.
19- Centres for people with special needs to continue operations provided a maximum of five people are present per session, and that all workers have taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
20- Continuation of professional sports training both indoors and outdoors, permitting preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the MoPH, and allowing the training of amateurs with a maximum of 35 people outdoors who have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and a maximum of 15 people indoors, provided they also take the two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with no public attendance.
21- Continuing to allow the hosting of local and international sporting events after obtaining the approval of the MoPH, with the presence of fans not surpassing the 50% capacity of the open-air venue, provided that among that 75% have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and obligating those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to conduct a rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 approved by the MoPH within 24 hours before the event, while allowing the presence of no more than 30% of the capacity of the public in closed places, provided that they have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
22- Continuing to allow the organisation of conferences, exhibitions and events with a capacity not exceeding 50%, after obtaining the approval of the MoPH.
23- Continuing to allow malls to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%, with children allowed in. Allowing the opening of food courts with a maximum capacity of 30%, as well as all prayers areas and changing rooms.
24- Continuing to allow restaurants and cafes to provide food and beverage on the following conditions:
A- A maximum capacity of 50% for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate, and a maximum capacity of 30% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the MoCI in open air areas.
B- A maximum capacity of 50% for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate, and a capacity that does not exceed 20% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the MoCI indoors, provided that all customers must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, children are allowed in only with their families.
25- Continuing to allow the rental of boats and tourist yachts, provided that all workers in those boats and yachts have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and that the number of passengers on those boats and yachts does not exceed 50% of its capacity and a maximum of 25 people who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, while allowing the presence of three within the mentioned number who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The owners of personal boats and yachts, if used, are obligated to adhere to the percentage, number and controls mentioned.
26- Continuing the operation of Souqs throughout the week, with a maximum capacity of 50%. Children are allowed in.
27- Continuing the operation of wholesale markets with a maximum capacity of 50%. Children are allowed in.
28- Continuing to allow beauty salons and barbershops to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%, provided that all workers in these facilities and clients have completed taking both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Only one child at a time is allowed to be present inside these establishments.
29- Continuing to allow amusement parks and all entertainment centers to be opened according to the following conditions:
A- At a maximum capacity of 50% for open air amusement parks and entertainment centres.
B- At a maximum capacity of 30% for indoor amusement parks and entertainment centres, provided that 75% of the customers must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Children are allowed in and must be counted among the 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
30- Continuing to allow health clubs, gyms, massage services, sauna and steam rooms, jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths at a maximum capacity of 50%, provided that all workers in these facilities and customers have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
31- Continuing to allow the opening of swimming pools and water parks according to the following:
A- At a maximum capacity of 50% for outdoor pools and waterparks.
B- At a capacity not exceeding 30% for indoor pools and waterparks. Only customers who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are allowed to enter. Out of the 30%, as much as 75% of the customers must have completed doses of the Covid-19, with children allowed in and counted among the remaining 25% that did not receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
32- Continuing to allow medical services to be provided in private health care facilities with the full capacity of these facilities, provided that all workers in those facilities have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
33- Continuing to allow cleaning and hospitality companies to provide their services through their employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, whether in one or more houses, and allowing cleaning and hospitality services to be provided to the facilities contracting with it during working hours with full capacity through its employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Second: Compliance with the health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by the MoPH shall be taken into consideration.
Third: The Ministry of Interior, the MoPH, the MoCI, and other government agencies - each within its jurisdiction - shall take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with the health requirements and prescribed precautionary measures.
The Cabinet also took the necessary measures to ratify the following agreements: Between Qatar and Vietnam on the encouragement of mutual protection of investments, Qatar and Congo regarding the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance, Qatar and Equatorial Guinea on mutual exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, and Qatar and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the establishment of United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in Doha.
Yesterday's Cabinet meeting also took the necessary measures to ratify amending the Arab Charter on Human Rights and approval of Qatar Tourism's participation in a number of exhibitions to be held during 2021.
