* The Pearl-Qatar 'comes alive' with reopening of beaches, stores and restaurants

Over 1.8mn vehicles have entered The Pearl-Qatar since the beginning of June, the month in which the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions started, United Development Company (UDC) has said.

This included a 50% increase in June compared to May before the restrictions were lifted, according to a press statement by UDC, a leading Qatari public shareholding company and master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island.

"The figures saw a remarkable increase in the past two weeks as a result of the reopening of beaches, mosques, retail stores and restaurants, with 668,000 vehicles entering the island in the first two weeks of July, which represents an increase of 17% compared to the numbers recorded in the same period last year. Peak hours were registered between 5pm and 9pm," the statement noted.

The increase in visitor influx has "evidently contributed to an increase in retail activity, as The Pearl-Qatar continues to be a prime destination for entertainment, shopping and dining, with more than 350 retail and F&B outlets currently operating on the island", UDC says.

Based on the current figures, it is expected that the number of visitors will continue rising with more restrictions being lifted by next month, including the reopening of parks, playgrounds, nurseries, salons, spas and gyms, the statement points out.

"Having said that, UDC has taken active preventive measures and imposed strict restrictions since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors of The Pearl-Qatar; and continues to do so in light of the State of Qatar’s directives," it adds.