The Cabinet Wednesday decided to implement from Friday, May 28, the first phase of lifting the Covid-19 restrictions.
It was announced on May 9 that Qatar plans to gradually lift the restrictions in four phases from May 28, with each phase lasting three weeks.
The decisions of yesterday's Cabinet meeting are as follows:
1. Continuing work with the cabinet decision which stipulates that, according to the need of work, a maximum of 50% of the total number of employees in the government sector in each business entity are allowed to work from the office, with the rest working remotely or upon request depending on the circumstances.
The exception are to the military, security and health sectors.
2- Continuing work with the cabinet decision which stipulates that a maximum of 50% of the total number of employees in the private sector in each business entity are allowed to work from the office, with the rest working remotely.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-ordination with the authorities concerned, will identify the necessary activities that are excluded from this decision.
3- Allowing meetings for employees and workers in the government and private sectors present at their workplace with the attendance of no more than 15 people fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Others can only attend the meeting remotely.
4- All citizens and residents must continue to wear masks when leaving the house for any reason, unless the person is driving alone or with his family.
5- All citizens and residents must continue to activate the Ehteraz app on their smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
6- Mosques shall continue opening for daily and Friday prayers, but children under 12 are not allowed.
Toilets and ablution facilities must remain closed.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs will determine the other precautionary measures.
7- Allowing a maximum of five people, fully vaccinated (two doses) against Covid-19, to be in closed places in homes and majlises, and a maximum of 10 fully vaccinated people, or five people who have not completed or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in outdoor homes and councils.
8- Weddings continue to be banned, whether indoors or outdoors.
9- Allowing gatherings in public parks, beaches, and the Corniche for a maximum of five people or family members residing in the same house, and individual sports such as walking, running and cycling, while continuing to close playgrounds and sports equipment in those places, and allowing the opening of private beaches not exceeding 30% of its capacity.
10- No car is allowed to have more than four passengers including the driver, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
11- Buses must continue to operate at half their capacity, while taking the precautionary measures.
12- Permitting the operation of Metro and public transport services at a maximum capacity of 30% throughout the week, while closing the smoking areas and banning eating and drinking.
13- Driving schools can operate at a maximum capacity of 30% %, with all workers completing their Covid-19 vaccination.
14- Cinemas and theaters can operate at a maximum capacity of 30%, but only for those who have taken the two doses of the Covid-19 vaccines.
Children under 12 are not allowed in.
15- Allowing educational centres and private training centres to provide their services at a maximum capacity of 30%, provided that all the instructors have taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
16- Allowing nurseries to open and function at a maximum capacity of 30%, provided all workers take both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
17- Museums and public libraries can operate at a maximum capacity of 30%.18- Centres for people with special needs can function with a maximum of five people a session, provided all workers take both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
19- Allowing professional sports training both indoors and outdoors, permitting preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the MoPH without allowing the attendance of the public, and allowing the training of amateurs with a maximum of 10 fully vaccinated people in open spaces, and a maximum of five fully vaccinated people indoors.
The public are not allowed to attend these training sessions.
20- Allowing the hosting of local and international sporting events after obtaining the approval of the MoPH, with the presence of fans not surpassing the 30% capacity of the open-space venue, provided they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
21- Continuing the ban on all conferences, exhibitions and events.
22- Malls can operate at a maximum capacity of 30%, but children under 12 are not allowed in.
Prayer areas and changing rooms in malls must remain closed, along with food courts.
Restaurants in food courts can accept take-out and delivery orders only.
23- Allowing restaurants and cafes to provide food and beverage on the following conditions: A- It operates at a maximum capacity of 30% for open air areas.
B- Restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certification can operate indoors at a maximum capacity of 30%, provided all workers are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
24- Continue the ban on renting boats, and tourist yachts.
The exception is made to rentals for family members residing in the same house, provided that all workers on these boats and yachts are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated, in the event that they are used, that only members of their family residing in the same house are allowed on board, or a maximum of 10 non-family members, with at least eight fully vaccinated.
25- Popular souqs can continue working throughout the week with a maximum capacity of 30%.Children under 12 are not allowed in.
26- Wholesale markets can continue working throughout the week with a maximum capacity of 30%. Children under 12 are not allowed in.
27- Beauty Salons and barbershops can operate at a maximum capacity of 30%, provided that all workers in these facilities and clients are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
28- Allowing amusement parks and all entertainment centres to be opened according to the following conditions: A- At a maximum capacity of 30% for open air amusement parks and entertainment centres.
B- At a maximum capacity of 20% for indoor amusement parks and entertainment centres, provided all customers are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
29- Permitting the opening of health clubs, gyms, massage services, saunas, steam and jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths at a maximum capacity of 30%, provided that all workers in these facilities and customers have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
30- Swimming pools and water parks can open provided they according to the following conditions: A- A maximum capacity of 30% for outdoor pools and waterparks.
B — A maximum capacity of 20% for indoor pools and waterparks, provided all customers are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
31- Permitting the provision of medical services in private health care facilities, not exceeding 80% of the capacity.
32- Allowing cleaning and hospitality companies to provide their services whose workers who have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, whether in one or more homes, and permitting the provision of cleaning and hospitality services to the establishments contracting with them during working hours with a maximum capacity of 30%, also through fully vaccinated workers.
The cabinet said that health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls specified by the MoPH shall be adhered to.
The Ministry of the Interior, the MoPH, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and other government agencies, each within their jurisdiction, shall take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with health requirements and the established precautionary measures.
Box The Cabinet took note of the measures taken regarding the adoption of the integrated education system for all public and private universities, schools and kindergartens, and the current travel and return policy to Qatar.
The Cabinet called on all members of society, citizens and residents, to adhere to the precautionary measures in order to take the necessary decisions to activate after three weeks the second phase of the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, based on the positive results of the epidemic indicators.