As Qatar enters the last lap of the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2022, many changes to existing rules and practices come into effect Tuesday.
These changes range from traffic alterations and revised school timings to the easing of travel, entry and Covid-19 testing rules and access to almost all places in the country without having to show the Ehteraz status. Curbside restrictions at Qatar's two airports have also been announced.
To support the successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Corniche and many connecting roads will be pedestrianised from today until December 19.
To preserve the security, safety and comfort of all passengers and visitors during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and to ensure smooth operations, both Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport have announced that curbside access will be restricted starting from Tuesday.
Access to the arrival and departure curbsides will be open to authorised vehicles only, which are Mowasalat (Karwa)’s limousines and taxis, authorised vehicles for persons with reduced mobility, vehicles transporting Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers, and select airport bus shuttles.
Also from Tuesday, people in Qatar are not required to show the Ehteraz app status except at health facilities.
Covid-19 testing rules for travellers coming to Qatar have also been relaxed as part of the updated travel and return policy, while visitors entering Qatar are not required to pre-register on the Ehteraz health application prior to arrival.
Qatar Museums has announced revised timings for its museums, galleries, shops, restaurants and cafes from Tuesday until December 20.
More changes will be implemented in the coming days, including extended Doha Metro and Lusail Tram timings, among others.
The general public and football fans will be able to access central Doha using public transport, including the Doha Metro and bus services. There are also taxi and ride-hail drop-off areas, plus accessible parking for disabled people.
* Parking
Four accessible car parks for people with disabilities are available in central Doha: Hotel Park, Post Office, Al Bidda Park (Car Park 5) and Doha Port.
The following parking areas will be used for tournament operations and cannot be accessed by fans from Tuesday until December 19: Souq Waqif West and North, Al Shoyoukh Mosque, Al Bidda 5 (across Al Rayyan Street), Al Bidda 4 & 5 (across Al Corniche Street), and Al Bidda 1 & 2 (across Al Istiqlal Street).
Additionally, many on-street parking bays in West Bay, Al Bidda and inner A-Ring Road areas will be suspended. Drivers are encouraged to only park in designated areas to avoid fines, which will be given to any cars parked illegally, or blocking footpaths and bus stops.
Car drivers should consider using the following Park & Ride facilities:
* Qatar University, Doha Metro Red Line, 6,000 free parking spaces. It is also for Katara car parking overflow.
* Al Messila, Doha Metro Green Line, 5,000 free parking spaces. It is also for NED hotel guests.
* Umm Ghuwailina, Doha Metro Red Line, 3,000 free parking spaces. It is also for Banana Island guests and marine vessel owners.
* Jelaiah Car Park, Shuttle Bus 2,000 free parking spaces. Timings from November 14 to December 18: 9am-5pm - every 15 minutes; 5pm-3am - every 7.5 minutes.
A drop-off/pick-up area for private cars is provided at the Imam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque (across Al Istiqlal Street). From here, it is a 15-minute walk to the FIFA Fan Festival or a 20-minute walk to the Corniche.
For the safety of passengers and other road users, drop-off /pick-up on roads around the FIFA Fan Festival is not permitted, and fines will be issued to offending drivers.
* Doha Metro
The following Doha Metro stations are located in the Corniche area:
1. DECC, Red Line, providing access to West Bay hotels, Corniche Activation North Zone, Hayya and ticketing centres, shopping malls and the West Bay Bus Hub (Stadium Express).
2. West Bay-Qatar Energy, Red Line, providing access to FIFA Fan Festival and Corniche Activation North Zone.
3. Corniche (exit only), Red Line, providing access to Red FIFA Fan Festival and Corniche Activation Central Zone.
4. Al Bidda, Red and Green lines, providing access to FIFA Fan Festival, Corniche Activation Central Zone and Al Bidda Park.
5. Msheireb, Red, Green and Gold lines, providing access to Corniche Activation Central Zone and Msheireb Centre.
6. Souq Waqif, Gold Line, providing access to Corniche Activation South Zone, Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif shops and restaurants, Souq Waqif Bus Hub North (Stadium Express), and Souq Waqif Bus Hub South (cruise ship hotels and Doha International Airport).
Doha Metro services will run for longer from November 11 to December 20 to support the FIFA World Cup, and will be free to passengers who have a Hayya Card.
Tournament operating hours: Saturday to Thursday: 6am to 3am; and Friday: 9am to 3am
One can visit the Qatar Rail website (https://www.qr.com.qa/home) for more information about travelling by the Metro.
* Taxi and ride-hail services (from November 1)
Convenient drop-off/pick-up areas are located at Ashghal Tower, Qatar Sports Club (for FIFA Fan Festival), Al Bidda Metro station, Souq Waqif and Museum of Islamic Art Park.
Karwa, Karwa-Fox, Uber and Careem will all be operated from these sites.
* Shuttle Bus Loop
Free dedicated shuttle bus services will operate from Tuesday until December 18. Find your nearest stop using the 'Hayya to Qatar 2022' mobile app on App Store and Google Play.
Following are the details:
1. Corniche Shuttle, No. C806 Peak (every 7.5 minutes) 5 PM – 3 AM
Off-peak (every 15 minutes) 9 AM – 5 PM
B-Ring Shuttle C804 Peak (every 7.5 minutes) 5 PM – 3 AM
Off-peak (every 15 minutes) 9 AM – 5 PM
C-Ring Shuttle C805 Peak (every 7.5 minutes) 5 PM – 3 AM
Off-peak (every 15 minutes) 9 AM – 5 PM
Cruise ship hotels to Souq Waqif
A821 Peak (every 7.5 minutes) 8 AM – 11 AM
4 PM – 7 PM
10 PM – 3 AM
Off-peak (every 15 minutes) 11 AM – 4 PM
7 PM – 10 PM
Overnight (every 30 minutes) 3 AM – 8 AM
Licence Plate management system
Vehicles with general or black private transport plates are prohibited from driving in central Doha from 12 PM to 2 AM from 1 November to 19 December.
Please consult the advice provided by the Ministry of Interior to the impacted roads and prohibited vehicles.
Marine vessel owners
Boat owners should park their vehicles at the Umm Ghuwailina park and ride site, and take the free shuttle bus service.
Getting to Banana Island
Shuttle bus services are available from:
Hamad International Airport
Umm Ghuwailina
These services will transport guests to Souq Waqif North car park, from where they will be
transferred to the Banana Island terminal.
Prohibited modes of transport
Prohibited modes of transport
Motorbikes, bicycles and scooters will be prohibited in the Corniche, pedestrianised areas and public parks from today until December 19.
Visit https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/getting-around/central-doha for the latest travel information in relation to central Doha, including detailed information on tournament transport options.
Follow @Roadto2022Go on Twitter for the latest transport news.
