* Non-vaccinated children below 16 years can home quarantine, when returning with fully vaccinated parents from countries not included on the green list
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Tuesday announced that the quarantine exemption period for vaccinated Qatar residents has been extended from three to six months.
Residents will become eligible for the six-month exemption , starting 14 days after receiving the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Qatar.
The MoPH also said non-vaccinated children below 16 years of age are permitted to undergo home quarantine, rather than hotel quarantine, when returning with fully vaccinated parents from countries that are not included on the green list.
The updates to the previously announced Covid-19 quarantine policy were announced on the ministry's social media accounts as well through the Qatar News Agency (QNA).
QNA said the MoPH took the decision to extend the quarantine exemption period from three months to six months after reviewing the latest clinical evidence on the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines.

The full quarantine exemption criteria are as follows:
* Fourteen days must have passed after receiving the second dose of the vaccine before returning to Qatar and a negative PCR test is required on return to Qatar following travel. Individuals may travel any time after receiving the second dose.
* Non-vaccinated children below 16 years of age returning to Qatar from non-green list countries with fully vaccinated parents are permitted to home quarantine, rather than hotel quarantine, for a period of seven days.
* The exemption does not currently apply to people vaccinated in other countries.
The MoPH said the evidence showing the extended duration of protection offered by the vaccine is very promising and will enable many citizens and residents who have been unable to visit family and friends abroad during the past year to once again reconnect.

It also noted that while the availability of safe and effective vaccines is enabling fully vaccinated people to travel more freely, it is still important that vaccinated people follow preventive measures when visiting other countries as an extra precaution.
These include wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, avoiding crowded places, avoiding touching the face and regular hand washing, the ministry explained.
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