Masks must again in closed public places from Thursday: cabinet

 

* Rule comes into effect Thursday and applies to individuals aged six and above

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting at the Amiri Diwan Wednesday.Following the meeting, HE the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Sulaiti issued a statement giving the details of the proceedings.The Cabinet reviewed a report of the Ministry of Public Health on the latest developments related to Covid-19 and decided to amend its decision issued at its meeting No. 19 of 2022, held on May 18, by obligating citizens, residents and visitors to wear masks in closed public places, Qatar News Agency reported.The decision will be implemented from Thursday.Following the Cabinet decision, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) explained that face masks are now mandatory for all individuals aged six years of age and above in closed public spaces. These include mosques, healthcare facilities, workplace, public transport, gyms, malls, shops and cinemas in addition to other closed public places.In a statement, the MoPH called on members of the community to adhere to the new preventive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. With the number of new daily Covid-19 cases in Qatar rising in recent weeks, the ministry stressed the need for people to adhere to the new measures related to the wearing of face masks. It said face masks, when worn properly by everyone, are an effective tool to prevent virus transmission.The MoPH called on members of the community to play their part in suppressing the current rise in Covid-19 by:* Getting vaccinated against Covid-19 with all doses for which you are eligible, including getting the booster dose as they proved to be "very safe and effective".* Washing your hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitisers.* Avoiding physical contact when greeting others, including abstaining from shaking hands and kissing. * Following cough etiquette and using your sleeve to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, or using tissue paper and disposing of it appropriately.* Avoiding gatherings in crowded and poorly ventilated places as much as possible. * Downloading the Ehteraz application and showing the green status to enter any public, closed indoor areas. The ministry said it is important that members of the community continue to receive all the vaccine doses for which they are eligible. More than 1.7mn people in Qatar have received a booster dose, and anyone aged 12 years and above who have had their second dose more than six months ago is eligible for a booster dose. A fourth vaccine dose is also available for individuals 50 years of age and older and those with chronic diseases that increase their risk for severe Covid-19 infection, regardless of their age. The fourth dose is offered to these vulnerable individuals after four months from their booster dose (third dose) or Covid-19 infection.The MoPH said individuals who do not receive the booster dose, or significantly delay receiving it, will be less protected and more at risk of severe Covid-19 infection and hospitalisation. With more than 6.5mn vaccine doses administered in Qatar, and 12bn doses of Covid-19 vaccines administered globally, they have proved to be highly effective in preventing severe disease and death from Covid-19 in addition to being very safe, the statement added.