* MoPH to decide on implementing the Supreme Committee plan: GCO
* Phase 4 of gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in Qatar to continue
* Mandatory quarantine for all returning to Qatar until further notice

The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management has approved a three-phase plan to reimpose certain Covid-19 restrictions to prevent the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic in Qatar.
The implementation of the plan will be subject to the recommendation of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), based on its continuous monitoring of health indicators in the country.
In a statement issued through the Government Communications Office (GCO) yesterday, the Supreme Committee said Phase 4 of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in the country will continue as well as the mandatory quarantine of all travellers returning to Qatar, until further notice.
While the public health indicators show that the spread of the virus has been contained in the country, this does not mean the pandemic has been reversed or that it has disappeared, the Supreme Committee said.
Affirming the continuation of Phase 4 of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in Qatar, the Supreme Committee statement said: "The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic around the world and in Qatar has made it essential to enforce a number of measures on various levels to ensure the safety of citizens and residents and limit the spread of the virus.
"With our robust health system, the effectiveness of measures that have been taken, the co-operation of citizens and residents and their commitment to following the precautionary measures, Qatar was able to move past the peak of the coronavirus and flatten the curve, while maintaining one of the lowest coronavirus death rates in the world."
After getting past the virus’s peak, it became necessary to reach the required balance between preserving public health and returning to normal life. This process has been successful through implementing the four-phase plan of gradually lifting coronavirus restrictions, the Supreme Committee stressed.
"Here, the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management would like to affirm the continuation of Phase 4, including the capacities that were recently announced, with relevant State authorities reviewing the indicators periodically. While the public health indicators show that the spread of the virus has been contained in Qatar, this does not mean the pandemic has been reversed or that it has disappeared," the statement pointed out. "Therefore, the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management has approved a three-phase plan to re-impose certain restrictions if the Ministry of Public Health recommends so, based on its continuous monitoring of health indicators.
"In this context, we note that the main contributing factor for limiting the spread of the virus is people’s awareness and their commitment to following precautionary measures, especially relating to gatherings and social events, as it has recently become evident that socialising without proper caution is the main source of spreading Covid-19 in the country."
Several countries around the world have already entered the second wave of the coronavirus, and this could occur in Qatar as well if people do not take the precautionary measures seriously, the Supreme Committee further stressed.
Additionally, and as the spread rate of the pandemic around the world is on the rise, it is necessary to apply mandatory quarantine to all travellers returning to Qatar until further notice, with the MoPH continuing to update the list of low-risk countries.
"The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management calls on all citizens and residents to commit to following the precautionary measures, including wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance and washing hands," the statement added.
Related Story