Taking into account the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Qatar, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced the decision to reimpose various restrictions to ensure the protection of the public from the risk of infection. In a series of infographics posted on social media Thursday, the Ministry highlighted the key points regarding the restrictions which are to come into effect on Saturday, 8th of January.
 
Restrictions on social gatherings

• Outdoor social gatherings of up to 15 vaccinated people and indoor gatherings of up to of 10 vaccinated people will be allowed with the exception of members of the same household.
• The daily prayers and Friday prayers in mosques while be allowed only by maintaining a 1m physical distance. Children under 12 years old will not be allowed, toilets and ablution areas in selected mosques will be closed, and classes will be limited to vaccinated individuals.
• Wedding parties will be allowed in hotels and independent wedding halls only. Indoor parties to be limited to 30% capacity with a maximum of 40 people, while outdoor parties to be limited to 50% capacity with a maximum of 80 people. All guests must be vaccinated.

Restrictions on business and leisure

•  100% capacity will be continued to allow at the workplace, with essential business meetings limited to 15 vaccinated individuals.
• A capacity of 50% in cinemas and theatres for vaccinated clients only will be allowed.
• Museums and libraries will be allowed to open with full capacity for vaccinated clients.
• Barbershops and hairdressers will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity, for vaccinated clients only. All staff must be vaccinated.
• Exhibitions and cultural events with a maximum capacity of 50% outdoors and 30% indoors will be allowed, while all attendees must be vaccinated. All events are subject to pre-authorisation by the Ministry of Public Health.
•The capacity in shopping malls will be maintained at 75% and food courts capacity will be limitted to 30%, while toilets, prayer rooms and changing rooms remain open. Only vaccinated individuals allowed.
• The capacity for outdoor dining to 75% for restaurants and cafes certified by the Qatar Clean Program and 40% for other restaurants and cafes. The capacity for indoor dining (for vaccinated customers and their children under 12 years old only) will be reduced to 50% for restaurants and cafes that certified by the Qatar Clean Program and 30% for other restaurants and cafes.
• Capacity in Souqs will be reduced to 75%.
• Capacity in wholesale markets will be fixed at 75% and auctions will be allowed Only vaccinated individuals allowed.
To come into effect on the Saturday 8th of January 2022.
• Capacity in gyms and health clubs to will be limited to 50%. Showers, changing rooms, jacuzzi and Sauna to be closed. All staff and clients must be vaccinated.
• Capacity in swimming pools and water parks to be reduced by 50% indoors allowing only vaccinated individuals, and 75% outdoors.
• Capacity in leisure centers to be reduced to 50% indoors allowing only vaccinated individuals, and 75% outdoors.
• Continuing to allow cleaning and hospitality companies to provide their services through their vaccinated staff, in one or more household, and facilities contracting with them during working hours with full capacity.

Education

• Online classes will be contiued with online learning in schools and kindergartens until the 27" of January 2022.
• 1:5 sessions in special needs centers will be allowed. All instructors must be vaccinated.
• Allow private training centers to operate at 50% capacity with a maximum of 50 students. All students and trainers must be vaccinated.
• Allow nurseries to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%. All staff must be vaccinated.
To come into effect on the Saturday 8th of January 2022.

Outdoor and Sports

• Groups of up to 15 people will be allowed to gather in public parks, beaches, and the Corniche, with the exception of same household members. 75% occupancy will be allowed in private beaches. Playgrounds and gym equipment to remain open. Toilets to remain open in selected parks.
• Preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health will be allowed as well as professional training indoors and outdoors.
•Professional sports events and tournaments will be allowed subject to approval by the Ministry of Public Health, with spectator capacity limited to 50% outdoor and 30% indoor, with only vaccinated spectators allowed.
• Training for age groups from 18 years and under for Qatari sports clubs and federations for (vaccinated individuals only) will be allowed, with a maximum of 40 people outdoors and 30 people indoors with no spectators. Training for children under 12 years in private clubs will be suspended.
•Local and private sports leagues and tournaments for all age groups and adults will be suspended as well as community sports tournaments and activities.

Transportation

• Personal boats for family members only will be allowed or a maximum of 12 individuals. Rental, excursion and touristic boats are allowed with a maximum capacity of 30%, not exceeding 15 individuals, for vaccinated individuals only. All staff must be vaccinated.
• The capacity on all public transport will be redued to 60%, with the continued closure of smoking areas and not allowing food or drink.
• Driving schools will be allowed to operate with a maximum capacity of 50%. All trainers and trainees must be vaccinated.
Related Story