The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has mobilised all its capabilities in the fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) to protect the society from the infectious disease by adopting a slew of measures, it was announced Monday.
According to an official statement, the MoI departments concerned are working to ensure that the public follow the safety guidelines and keen to implement all decisions of the relevant authorities, in addition to participating in community awareness campaigns.
Lt Col Nayef bin Faleh al-Thani, director of Al-Fazaa, said that the police have fully activated their capabilities and they have been trained to deal with the situations arising from the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We are facing an exceptional scenario. There should not be any kind of negligence. We have to stand firm to prevent the spread of the virus by adopting preventive measures,” he said.
In order to ensure safety across the country, the number of patrols has been increased. The patrols are carried to protect all quarantine sites, identified by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). These sites are fully secured to reduce the spread of the virus.
Al Fazaa is also securing the closed parts of the Industrial Area and patrolling all over the country to monitor compliance with the instructions issued by the competent authorities. The patrols ensure there is no gathering at public places and majlis. Besides, Al Fazaa ensures shops are closed as per the directions.
Lt Col Nayef al-Thani clarified that Al Fazaa is aware of the dangers they face in the field. “The patrols are not confined to following up the procedures and limiting the spread of the virus. They are also aimed at raising public awareness by providing direct advice and guidance. They deal firmly with violators of the quarantine rules,” he said.
Al Fazaa has deployed checkpoints throughout the country with the aim of providing more protection to the community against the risk of the virus and to avoid infection.
The director of Al-Najda Police Department confirmed there is complete co-operation with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and other stakeholders. The special patrols, according to him, have not affected its main duties in keeping the security and stability of the society.
He praised the strong response of the citizens and residents to all the guidelines and advice and added that society's contribution in fighting Covid-19 is the best way to get rid of it.
Lt Col Jabr Ali al-Kubaisi, assistant director of Patrol and Traffic Investigation Department of the General Directorate of Traffic, said that the Patrol Department has provided round-the-clock support to all relevant departments of MoI such as Al Fazaa, the Capital Security Department and security departments in external areas.
“Efforts to secure street and road traffic, advice and guidance to vehicle drivers have been consolidated through the official-specified follow-up and inspection points. These are with the purpose of educating road users to stay in their homes to maintain their safety and support Qatar’s efforts in confronting this global pandemic,” Lt Col al-Kubaisi said.
Accompanying buses and vehicles such as those from the airport to quarantine or from quarantine sites to hospitals are given adequate support. Roads and intersections going to and coming from the Industrial Area 1 to 32, which are currently under a lockdown are secured as part of precaution.
He pointed out that the patrols are carried out to follow up on the implementation of the decisions by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management. The duty of monitoring the hotels allocated for quarantine is held in co-ordination with various departments.
The official explained that reduced traffic on the roads has brought down the number of road accidents and described it as the result of the awareness efforts by the authorities.
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