More Covid relaxations from Saturday

Revised Covid-19 measures, including the easing of some restrictions, will come into effect Saturday. These include the lifting of restrictions with regard to mosques, transportation capacity as well as buffet and shisha services.The Cabinet had taken some decisions in this regard recently, followed by the subsequent announcements made by the ministries concerned.In an infographic on social media, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said the revised measures include the lifting of restrictions imposed on the capacity and number of people allowed in different means of transportation as well as in open and closed public and private places.It explained that entry to closed public places shall be in accordance with the following:* Fully vaccinated Individuals and those recovered from Covid-19.* Unvaccinated individuals accounting for a maximum 20% of the capacity, subject to conducting a rapid antigen test within 24 hours prior to entry. This applies to the following indoor public places: physical training clubs; weddings; sports events; conferences, exhibitions and events; restaurants and cafes; amusement parks and entertainment centres; swimming pools and water parks; and theatres and cinemas.The infographic also stresses the adherence of parties concerned to the requirements set by the MoPH for holding any conference, exhibition or event.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has announced a further easing of restrictions in mosques, starting Saturday.According to a statement by Awqaf, social distancing will no longer be required between worshippers while performing the obligatory and Friday prayers. Also, they will not have to show the Ehteraz application status while visiting a mosque for the obligatory prayers.Toilets and places for performing ablution will be opened in specified mosques and children allowed entry for all prayers.Also, women’s prayer areas within mosques will be opened, while it is no longer mandatory for worshippers to bring a rug with them for the prayers.Awqaf has urged mosque-goers to wear masks at all times and also show the Ehteraz status while entering a mosque for the Friday prayer to ensure the safety of worshippers and the whole society.Also, the ministry has urged those who are suffering from cold, cough and high temperature not to go to a mosque.The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has announced the resumption of open buffet services for licensed restaurants. Also, shisha services may be offered in the open spaces of restaurants and cafes within and outside touristic areas, according to the MoCI.Meanwhile, the Cabinet had stated the following while announcing its recent decisions on the revised Covid-19 measures:* The continuation of all employees in the government sector to carry out their work from office and allowing all employees in the private sector to work from office.* Continuing to oblige all employees and workers in the public and private sectors to conduct a rapid antigen test approved by the MoPH, on a weekly basis, for employees and workers who have not received any dose or all doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.* Obligating all citizens, residents and visitors to wear masks in all indoor public places, and not obligating them to wear masks in open public places unless they are engaged in public activities organised in markets, exhibitions and during events.* All workers in establishments, whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with customers, must wear masks during their work period.* Continuing to obligate all citizens, residents and visitors to activate the Ehteraz application on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.* Continuing to allow weddings to take place, taking into account the restrictions imposed on the entry of people who did not complete or did not receive any dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.Another decision states that compliance with the health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by the MoPH shall be taken into consideration.The Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other government agencies - each within its jurisdiction - will take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and established controls.