Spa activities, massage services and indoor swimming pools will resume from September 15 with reduced capacity, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) announced on Sunday.
This is part of the fourth phase of the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed, complementing the previous decisions taken by Qatar to preserve the safety and health of citizens and residents and limit the spread of Covid-19.
The MoCI decided to increase the occupancy rate of men's hairdressing salons and women's beauty centres to 50% of the capacity, and allow the resumption of spa activities, massage services, jacuzzi, Moroccan and Turkish bath services, and indoor swimming pools with 30% of the normal capacity in hotels.
The MoCI also allowed the resumption of spa activities, massage services, jacuzzi, Moroccan and Turkish bath services and indoor swimming pools in women's beauty centres and gyms with 30% of the normal capacity, provided that the total area of the facility is not less than 250sqm and subject to obtaining prior approval.
Opening of facilities that provide massage services, jacuzzis, Moroccan and Turkish bath services and indoor swimming pools, which is less than 250sqm, is postponed to the next phase of gradually lifting of restrictions imposed on spa activities, MoCI said.
The ministry indicated that the steps for obtaining the pre-approval start with downloading the application form for the reopening of spa activities and massage services via the website www.moci.gov.qa/spaservices.pdf, filling in the required data and attaching the medical certificates that confirms the results of the employees and workers' examination, followed by sending the documents to the email address info-commercemoci.gov.qa.
According to the decision, the management of health resorts and salons are bound by the precautionary measures and preventive measures set by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, and they must apply the guidelines.
This includes that the number of clients should not exceed the allowed occupancy rate during the current period, clients should be allowed to enter only after checking green status on Ehteraz app, examine the temperature of customers at entrances and do not allow individuals whose temperature exceeds 38C, providing hand sanitisers and soap in all spa and salon facilities, requiring customers to book in advance and preventing them from waiting and gathering inside spas and salons, and requiring employees and clients to leave a distance of at least 2m between them.
The MoCI has obligated the spas and salons to examine all employees and workers for Covid-19 regularly, in accordance with the directives of the MoPH, to activate Ehteraz app for all employees and workers, and to isolate individuals who show symptoms of infection and inform the authorities concerned to take the necessary precautions and health procedures.
The decision also required all employees and workers to wear medical masks throughout their work period, place safe distance stickers on the floors of spa centres and salons, and constantly sterilise all tools and facilities, focusing on door handles, stairs, payment devices, and the equipment and materials used before and after providing services.
The MoCI stressed the need to adhere to the circulars, decisions and directives related to the prevention of Covid-19. This includes the guidelines for the gradual opening plan, the time period announced by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, as well as the circulars and decisions issued by the MoCI, the guidance related to the responsibilities of employers to limit the spread of the virus, the directives for health and safety rules issued by the Ministry of Public Health, and the policies set by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs regarding precautionary measures to prevent and limit the spread of the pandemic.
The Ministry warned that the conditions for spa activities and massage services can be found on the Ministry of Public Health website www.moph.gov.qa.
The Ministry noted that the decision is subject to amendment and updating according to developments in this regard, warning that any violation of the stipulations of this decision exposes the perpetrators to legal procedures and accountability.
The Ministry affirmed that the success of each stage of the comprehensive plan for the gradual lifting of restrictions depends on the extent of everyones commitment to implementing the required preventive and precautionary measures. (QNA)
