The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has explained which activities are exempted from the Cabinet decision on suspending commercial and service activities during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
On Monday, the Cabinet had issued a decision on closing shops and stopping all commercial activities from May 19 to 30, except food and catering shops, pharmacies, restaurants that provide delivery services, and any other necessary activities determined by the MoCI.
The ministry then issued a notification on its social media pages with details of the decision and the exemptions.
"In line with the previous decisions and measures adopted by Qatar to prevent and limit the spread of Covid-19, and in order to protect the health and safety of all members of the society and provide basic services to citizens and residents, it has been decided to suspend all commercial and service activities during the Eid al-Fitr holiday," the notification states.
The decision shall be effective until 30, with the exception of the following sectors and activities:
The ministry then issued a notification on its social media pages with details of the decision and the exemptions.
Closed shops in the Old Airport area. PICTURE: Thajudheen
Closed businesses in Al Wakra. PICTURE: Ram Chand
Some of the closed shops in Al Wakra. PICTURE: Ram Chand
Closed shops in Al Wakra. PICTURE: Ram Chand
"In line with the previous decisions and measures adopted by Qatar to prevent and limit the spread of Covid-19, and in order to protect the health and safety of all members of the society and provide basic services to citizens and residents, it has been decided to suspend all commercial and service activities during the Eid al-Fitr holiday," the notification states.
The decision shall be effective until 30, with the exception of the following sectors and activities:
* Food and consumer goods sector:1. Outlets selling food products, consumer goods and subsidised supplies (hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries)2. Shops selling vegetables and fruits3. Restaurants (allowed to operate by processing delivery orders only)4. Confectionery shops5. Bakeries
* Health sector1. Pharmacies2. Clinics, in accordance with the decisions issued by the Ministry of Public Health in this regard
* Automobile sector1. Fuel stations2. Vehicle maintenance workshops affiliated to agencies
* Other sectors1. Factories in all industrial areas2. Contracting and engineering companies (allowed to operate at construction sites along with affiliated engineering offices)3. Maintenance companies (plumbing and electrical services)4. Financial institutions, according to Qatar Central Bank's circular5. Telecommunications companies6. Companies delivering orders through electronic applications7. Companies operating in the hospitality sector8. Logistics services companies/firms operating at airports and ports
"All other commercial activities that have not been outlined in this decision shall be suspended," the ministry has stressed.
All companies and commercial activities shall fully comply with the policies of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, and Ministry of Public Health regarding the measures that should be taken at the workplace and in staff housing facilities in order to protect employees and limit the spread of Covid-19, the notification reads.
Any violation or breach of what is stated in the above decision will subject perpetrators to legal accountability, and the competent authority should ensure its implementation and apply its provisions, it adds.
The decision, which was issued on May 18, may be subject to amendments and updates according to the latest developments in this regard, the notification points out.
The MoCI has called on all citizens and residents to seek information from official sources only and consult its website and social media pages for the latest news and updates.
As the Cabinet decision came into effect yesterday, popular market neighbourhoods around the country wore a different look yesterday as shops remained closed and commercial activities were suspended, with the exception of the sectors mentioned above.
